tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60315407861061657792018-05-23T17:14:53.245-07:00RED IN THE MORNING......a sailor's warning!
Tabletop Naval Wargaming with Scale MiniaturesQueen Catherinenoreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-65763437239977446282018-05-21T06:23:00.000-07:002018-05-21T12:58:40.870-07:00Portable Naval Wargame Pre-dreadnought Playtest 2<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>What happens when you are ill-prepared AND have the dice against you....</b></span></span><img src="http://librarydisplays.wolfsonian.org/VIsions%20of%20Victory/wall1/2009.19.650.jpg" height="453" width="640" /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://librarydisplays.wolfsonian.org/VIsions%20of%20Victory/wall1/2009.19.650.htm">http://librarydisplays.wolfsonian.org/VIsions%20of%20Victory/wall1/2009.19.650.htm</a></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So, it took longer than I thought to return to "Portable Naval Wargame - Predreadnought" But I finally managed to play it today, RAW, in a compiled format of rules from both the Ironclads and the Predreadnought set. This took a couple of drafts, and there was still a typo in it, but that didn't affect play. So the below is the rules - using hexes - of PNW as Bob Cordery intends.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I took some time to collect ship data from Wiki [so it MUST be correct...] just to build a general idea what these ships were and their relative performance if in full operating condition. This gave me a bit of a rule of thumb for converting ships into PNW stats:</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gz4brParaHA/WwHSRkZxJrI/AAAAAAAAAlE/BkS60J1mZo4fYTWvbTxIvPeXAxLotCAzQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02937.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gz4brParaHA/WwHSRkZxJrI/AAAAAAAAAlE/BkS60J1mZo4fYTWvbTxIvPeXAxLotCAzQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02937.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Ships with 8" guns I gave a 6 dice / 5-hex range battery, and those with 5-6" guns a 4 / 4 battery. Hull was about 1 Flotation Point for each 500 tons. If a ship was equipped with torpedoes, I gave them one torpedo attack for the game. Speed was about one hex per 6-7 knots. There were pretty clean breaks in speed, i.e. several ships in the 11-14 knot range, and several in the 18-21 knot range, so this was easiest to convert into relative values.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">It is worth noting that the Spanish have more ships, that the Gunnery and Flotation points are nearly identical, the torpedo advantage lies with the Spanish but the speed / ramming edge is clearly with the Americans, with most ships having a 3-hex speed and a ram, while the Spanish have a 2-hex speed and only one ram in the fleet.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">For the scenario, I changed the history a bit and had the ES poised to stop the US as they enter Manila Bay. The harbor defenses consist of two land batteries with a 3 / 3 gun battery, and 3 real mine counters and 3 dummy counters, numbered 1-6. 1, 2 and 3 are all real and attack a ship entering the hex with 1, 2, or 3 dice based upon the density of the minefield.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Below</b>, the mines are placed by me without knowing which are the real mines. This adds a little suspense for me. I concentrate them in the center where the land batteries are weakest, each only putting 1 dice of shooting into the center of the channel, and 2 dice into the hexes next to the fort. This leaves the US with the choice of taking more Gun shots, or risking more mines, which I felt added a balanced tension for decisions.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8tUKXsroFL8/WwHOibPZL5I/AAAAAAAAAgM/q1wcVlccrd47ccWO0eVJUYF6afoVXilgQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02903.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8tUKXsroFL8/WwHOibPZL5I/AAAAAAAAAgM/q1wcVlccrd47ccWO0eVJUYF6afoVXilgQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02903.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Each battery [<b>above</b>] has 3 / 3 gun points, so 3 dice and 2-hex range. They can both fire one dice into the center of the channel, and 2 dice into the near hex, giving even coverage across the channel. This coverage seems realistic.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The <b>below </b>is the <i>battlesea </i>[as in <i>battlefield</i>] for the game. The harbor entrance has one squadron of Spanish ships to East and one to South, the East having the larger ships and the South the smaller ones. To somewhat compensate for the mines and batteries, each Spanish squadron has a delay of 1, 2, or 3 turns to get up enough steam to sail, reflecting the surprise of the US attack. I used 3 chits numbered 1-3 and randomly picked two and placed one with each squadron. They will be flipped immediately after the first shot or mine explosion, as the Spanish go to battle stations.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kkac_WTAW8/WwHOjwA8AGI/AAAAAAAAAgU/O10RKwEhwxEekD3gTUJDVNgdg9x_5AwAwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02904.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kkac_WTAW8/WwHOjwA8AGI/AAAAAAAAAgU/O10RKwEhwxEekD3gTUJDVNgdg9x_5AwAwCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02904.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Below</b>, South squadron of three Velasco Class unprotected cruisers and a gunboat.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4h20uH1PlVg/WwHOlAassuI/AAAAAAAAAgc/zD492srRnrwOoO8oLRNQLpp5zkDIgzDswCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02905.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4h20uH1PlVg/WwHOlAassuI/AAAAAAAAAgc/zD492srRnrwOoO8oLRNQLpp5zkDIgzDswCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02905.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Below</b>, squadron of two large unprotected cruisers and two small protected cruisers.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mdvy9nIZGz0/WwHOm50PEKI/AAAAAAAAAgk/FXPBvj_bLD8MIyWyw2LdAHvmTARYx54ZACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02906.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mdvy9nIZGz0/WwHOm50PEKI/AAAAAAAAAgk/FXPBvj_bLD8MIyWyw2LdAHvmTARYx54ZACK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02906.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 1 movement</b>. There is no gunnery so US enters the board. No ship reaches a mine. I'm planning to send Olympia, center, to whichever side has no mines, or the fewest.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_QzIXVVuao/WwHOpFqEE7I/AAAAAAAAAgs/pdZ564lNbS4Ud_kKsF6AwAYppyr5i6WKACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02907.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_QzIXVVuao/WwHOpFqEE7I/AAAAAAAAAgs/pdZ564lNbS4Ud_kKsF6AwAYppyr5i6WKACK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02907.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 2, Gunnery. </b>Shore batteries each put 2 Hits on a ship rolling a '6' each and causing Petrel to need to depart the fight [how, I've no idea]. In return, the US Armored Cruisers pound the batteries with three hits each [white dice], enough to suppress them. They will get back one Gunnery Point a turn for three turns if not fired upon again. <i>This is to reflect that it is hard to destroy a stone and earth 'ship' from below! But you can make it hard for them to man the guns while under fire.&nbsp;</i></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATgV8nan3PY/WwHOqZH_jYI/AAAAAAAAAg0/V7aWlogK5XgAfYomfAthitn_IKuaMKizgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02908.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATgV8nan3PY/WwHOqZH_jYI/AAAAAAAAAg0/V7aWlogK5XgAfYomfAthitn_IKuaMKizgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02908.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 2 Movement</b>&nbsp;has the small US ships take the lead through the minefield. And, as fate would have it, ALL the mines are only in the center channel! This is just typical of my luck with this naval war...the luck is almost always against the ES and with the US. One awkward aspect of the rules is revealed...as you must move forward one hex before you turn, the Olympia can't turn and avoid the minefield. I put her in the top of the channel instead of messing around with the turning rules.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 3</b> has no gunnery needed as the forts are suppressed. We head directly to movement, and the ES have a delay of 1 turn for the South squadron, and 3 for the North Squadron. The US therefore moves into the harbor and heads South to destroy the small squadron first. As always seems to happen, I forget to turn over the dice, so now all the turns are off by one! <i>*long, drawn-out sigh*</i>&nbsp;So, add one to every turn from now on!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A5rvbT0xCLo/WwHOtjxve7I/AAAAAAAAAg8/qUFK76ZFwbwjxY3u0vgI_csbqlKC_1gogCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02909.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A5rvbT0xCLo/WwHOtjxve7I/AAAAAAAAAg8/qUFK76ZFwbwjxY3u0vgI_csbqlKC_1gogCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02909.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 4 gunnery.</b> The US takes a few long-range potshots at the ES who are out of range. OF COURSE they roll amazingly well, inflicting 7 hits and missing with zero dice! Fortune really, really doesn't like the Spaniards is all I can say. Castilla takes 4 Hits [out of 6] and Velasco takes 3 [out of 4] and technically both must retreat from the battle. How, I have no idea - it seems like they'll have to fight their way out regardless. <span style="color: blue;">[<b>Ignore the Blue die!]</b></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJimEvLqiEc/WwHOu-8PT8I/AAAAAAAAAhE/yw9PkdobzicOuXTVi__ocCEpD0DL0zvuwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02910.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJimEvLqiEc/WwHOu-8PT8I/AAAAAAAAAhE/yw9PkdobzicOuXTVi__ocCEpD0DL0zvuwCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02910.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 4 movement. </b>The ES South squadron is free to move and closes in to use torpedoes and hopefully make an impact before getting wiped out. The US also advances, getting their formation broken up a bit due to having to pay for turns. <i>Doesn't seem correct, really.</i></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>5 Gunnery.</b> ES has torpedo attacks [3 dice to left of ship] which of course roll amazingly well, while their gunnery is limited to only 1 dice, altho Don Antonio gets a lucky hit. This results in the Concord sinking. In return, the US lays down 3 Hits of gunnery and 3 Hits from a torpedo attack by the Raleigh.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqVU2xWOs9k/WwHOwe6RzVI/AAAAAAAAAhM/L02vWOwXcCYrMf_G9iW1cxIYhwQ72pybQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02911.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqVU2xWOs9k/WwHOwe6RzVI/AAAAAAAAAhM/L02vWOwXcCYrMf_G9iW1cxIYhwQ72pybQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02911.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 5, more US gunnery.</b> The bigger US ships are bringing up the rear. Their 8-inch guns pound 5 more Hits in,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">sinking both the Velasco and the Don Juan and leaving the Don Antonio in poor shape.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8ObW9SRYDU/WwHOyGPj0_I/AAAAAAAAAhU/Ml4rbqBcTpAkAEoN7rNqAJf9p0il5iCZgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02912.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8ObW9SRYDU/WwHOyGPj0_I/AAAAAAAAAhU/Ml4rbqBcTpAkAEoN7rNqAJf9p0il5iCZgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02912.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 5 Movement </b>has both squadrons closing in as there's little room to maneuver between the shore line and the US squadron.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 6 Gunnery. </b>ES ships are clearly shaken...they miss. US pounds home four more Hits, and both ES ships sink, leaving the squadron a rescue effort rather than a threat.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JMVh8W7SIAk/WwHO1VrpemI/AAAAAAAAAhc/uFweaPG74sk3K2yvFDPLf1FA65RlYpWqQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02913.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JMVh8W7SIAk/WwHO1VrpemI/AAAAAAAAAhc/uFweaPG74sk3K2yvFDPLf1FA65RlYpWqQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02913.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 6 Movement.</b> The US starts to change course so as to engage the North ES squadron. The Boston, with its slow speed, is forced to venture towards them on its own and await the rest of the US ships to catch up. <i>Worth noting is that a ship with Move 2 can only move 1 Hex forward and turn...a 3-Hex move is significantly better as you can move 1-2 hexes forward and turn, or move 1, turn, move 1. As for the 1-hex move...it's move OR turn.</i></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7E8X5n05Uug/WwHO2qb3WQI/AAAAAAAAAhk/ortaKm16ohEqbFVjyFM_dX8cg9Sd_D_ywCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02914.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7E8X5n05Uug/WwHO2qb3WQI/AAAAAAAAAhk/ortaKm16ohEqbFVjyFM_dX8cg9Sd_D_ywCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02914.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 7, Movement.</b> With no gunnery, the Petrel continues its painful move off board, while the Squadrons close in on each other. I find the turn rules awkward, but not impossible.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xGGr6tGQES0/WwHO385WvKI/AAAAAAAAAhs/bkDY60RzQ8QTIvUL1mF7Fs9_wdWgLJFggCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02915.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xGGr6tGQES0/WwHO385WvKI/AAAAAAAAAhs/bkDY60RzQ8QTIvUL1mF7Fs9_wdWgLJFggCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02915.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 8 Gunnery. </b>Boston may be slow, but she's deadly - 2 Hits sinks the Reina Cristina who misses in response. <i>Note the Spanish fleet line spreading out due to a turn.</i></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DiuaW78rJ4I/WwHO5iGi2sI/AAAAAAAAAh0/3Jy7l-MQ7DcPB1TaqHwuxBYGObGULsmRgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02916.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DiuaW78rJ4I/WwHO5iGi2sI/AAAAAAAAAh0/3Jy7l-MQ7DcPB1TaqHwuxBYGObGULsmRgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02916.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 8 Moves.</b> Both fleets close in, the Spanish hope to tackle the Boston before help arrives. Boston may be able to take care of them with a little luck.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KHLveZkRxtw/WwHO6_BJxBI/AAAAAAAAAiA/hKE-Owa84swQL6jtIu0vQEkz3e-VAOG0QCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02917.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KHLveZkRxtw/WwHO6_BJxBI/AAAAAAAAAiA/hKE-Owa84swQL6jtIu0vQEkz3e-VAOG0QCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02917.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 9 Gunnery.</b> Boston fires a long shot...and of course Hits for 2!</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy5SJzd3blA/WwHO8W17tOI/AAAAAAAAAiI/Y-qgcqp45ug95ntVedg0OJjZ5t3HQbAlQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02918.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy5SJzd3blA/WwHO8W17tOI/AAAAAAAAAiI/Y-qgcqp45ug95ntVedg0OJjZ5t3HQbAlQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02918.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 9 Moves.</b> ES lose initiative, manage to reform line. US moves Boston to intercept, intending to follow Boston in Line Ahead. However, due to a turn, Raleigh needs to slow down to 2-hexes so the two AC can keep up. <i>It probably doesn't matter as Raleigh is a pretty solid ship and could leave the other two behind and support Boston.</i></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--_86ZCnYmS8/WwHPCvAStSI/AAAAAAAAAiw/UX74-QfIviswVxeIKeNeB4lDG0vwVU0lgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02922.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--_86ZCnYmS8/WwHPCvAStSI/AAAAAAAAAiw/UX74-QfIviswVxeIKeNeB4lDG0vwVU0lgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02922.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 10 Gunnery. </b>Boston "unleashes hell" and rolls 5 Hits on Castilla! However, the ES beat their luck and not only shoot for 4 Hits, but unleash ES cruise missile torpedoes for 2 more! Needless to say, Boston and Castilla sink.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0iqBBRXkOOU/WwHPDwCmZvI/AAAAAAAAAi4/tYs53OsyzuUDSYLgqbj3D7oALfMN8Uf_gCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02923.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0iqBBRXkOOU/WwHPDwCmZvI/AAAAAAAAAi4/tYs53OsyzuUDSYLgqbj3D7oALfMN8Uf_gCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02923.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 10 Movement.</b> ES continue on converging course as the closer they are the better it is for them since their gunnery is outranged. Raleigh leads the Baltimore and Olympia as quickly as possible, but the turn slows them down and they only manage to get two into firing position. <i>Still, it will probably be more than enough...</i></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFFAjS_fH8o/WwHPFOXVeZI/AAAAAAAAAjA/k3SlKbl5O3U1qBtVFFcLC_Mt-LW07wtQgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02924.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFFAjS_fH8o/WwHPFOXVeZI/AAAAAAAAAjA/k3SlKbl5O3U1qBtVFFcLC_Mt-LW07wtQgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02924.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 11 Gunnery.</b> For a change, the US misses, and the ES hits for 3 - <i>Viva Espagna</i>!!</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5EUWTih6gKc/WwHPJkJ1X8I/AAAAAAAAAjM/pASHC1Ch480eJPHTbwr3VrDiO-2HUQXtQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02925.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5EUWTih6gKc/WwHPJkJ1X8I/AAAAAAAAAjM/pASHC1Ch480eJPHTbwr3VrDiO-2HUQXtQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02925.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 11 Movement.&nbsp;</b>The US is not afraid to close the range, having the more powerful guns and only lightly damaged ships. Still, the Spanish will go down fighting!</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3uxQ1RzMqZs/WwHPKpkFzlI/AAAAAAAAAjU/hmlJSzna5Z0xRW92Utl0kt7aNBNVYe7qwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02926.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3uxQ1RzMqZs/WwHPKpkFzlI/AAAAAAAAAjU/hmlJSzna5Z0xRW92Utl0kt7aNBNVYe7qwCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02926.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 12 Gunnery.</b> a weak effort by ES, who are then devastated by the best shot of the game, as the Baltimore puts out enough hits to sink a pre-dreadnought, much less a protected cruiser - 7 HITS!! <i>Isla de Luzon has debris flying back to Luzon...</i></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50ea5dyBN5w/WwHPL54612I/AAAAAAAAAjc/hyEZiqAYHTYm7ak24mNFHkzDiKsaK7DjQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02927.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50ea5dyBN5w/WwHPL54612I/AAAAAAAAAjc/hyEZiqAYHTYm7ak24mNFHkzDiKsaK7DjQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02927.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 12 Movement, Turn 13 Gunnery.</b> ES win Initiative, get to counter-move to the US Armored Cruisers. They will not be in ideal position either way, so elect to move farther ahead. Of course, it doesn't matter and the Isla de Cuba whiffs then is blown to kingdom come by the same sharpshooter on the Baltimore - 5 Hits inflicted!</span>&nbsp;<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J7ofIUoS1_s/WwHPSQpDBpI/AAAAAAAAAkM/ePbCICVJ9ngkUKHXG2UjnCkg-nSgk7KMwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02932.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J7ofIUoS1_s/WwHPSQpDBpI/AAAAAAAAAkM/ePbCICVJ9ngkUKHXG2UjnCkg-nSgk7KMwCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02932.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Final Tally: <span style="color: orange;">ES </span></b>lose fleet of eight ships, <b><span style="color: blue;">US </span></b>loses three [almost four] of six. However, both Armored Cruisers are in good shape, and they dominate the waves. The only way to even the score strategically would be to sabotage the Olympia so her coal bunker blows up. <i>Hmmmm....now why did I think of that?</i>&nbsp;Anyway, I liked how the scenario played out overall, except that it really seems as though FATE has it in for the Spaniards - they are weak in every aspect of naval operations, AND they have lousy luck! I want them to win, someday...</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTjNytsZQ9E/WwHSVBc9LmI/AAAAAAAAAlM/H9h8rCf_RG0hPGz9KQpoJxChHpDHrzBhgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02936.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTjNytsZQ9E/WwHSVBc9LmI/AAAAAAAAAlM/H9h8rCf_RG0hPGz9KQpoJxChHpDHrzBhgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02936.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span>The rules worked OK for "simple", but I feel they are actually a bit <u>too </u>simple, and that with just a few design changes will be easier and give better feel for naval combat.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Pondering the Move / Turn system.</b> Ships must move forward one hex and can then make one turn of one hex side. Let's explore some of the consequences of this mechanic.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Petrel is trying to follow the rules and exit the battlefield due to Flotation Point losses being at Critical Point. Let's forget the shore battery for now, and just think about maneuvering around the minefield:</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- Petral has Move 2, and can advance 2 hexes.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LgNqinwK95E/WwHPNcdyOjI/AAAAAAAAAjk/mL2h1H7_igIJ2UVFRFMfETdsqTyb2LtCgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02928.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LgNqinwK95E/WwHPNcdyOjI/AAAAAAAAAjk/mL2h1H7_igIJ2UVFRFMfETdsqTyb2LtCgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02928.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">But if she does, she has to move into the minefield as you can't turn until you have moved forward one hex. Not very appealing for a crippled ship!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H7D89SAYu1A/WwHPPErSQFI/AAAAAAAAAjw/0IyJ_TLIzEY7E5kD52E1nn3yf5oRKNRdgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02929.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H7D89SAYu1A/WwHPPErSQFI/AAAAAAAAAjw/0IyJ_TLIzEY7E5kD52E1nn3yf5oRKNRdgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02929.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Instead, if she moves forwards 1 HEX this turn...</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SbrdFtypyZE/WwHPQE5UbdI/AAAAAAAAAj8/QNMagWLxvkgosSHm70GuNLUoFkKaSEL6wCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02930.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SbrdFtypyZE/WwHPQE5UbdI/AAAAAAAAAj8/QNMagWLxvkgosSHm70GuNLUoFkKaSEL6wCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02930.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">She can then move forward one hex next turn, and make a turn to the left, which costs one point of movement anyway.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iuJNRYkboJM/WwHPRaKfhZI/AAAAAAAAAkE/TLbemlPfuvMK3tyO5Y4jfglW5sFp8WKggCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02931.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iuJNRYkboJM/WwHPRaKfhZI/AAAAAAAAAkE/TLbemlPfuvMK3tyO5Y4jfglW5sFp8WKggCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02931.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This is pretty awkward as it means you have to stop at least one hex ahead of any obstacle requiring a course change. This could of course be justified by saying that these ships don't turn on a dime. HOWEVER, with no time / distance scale, it really isn't possible to compute if this is reasonable or not.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Move / Turn system, squadron in Line Ahead</b> [following a lead ship in column].</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The US squadron is in Line Ahead, and all three ships have Move 3.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqIu-Ocab-M/WwHO-AX3caI/AAAAAAAAAiU/LbPw3jSgGBYne6_GBubVe6w36xeaSJ0aQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02919.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqIu-Ocab-M/WwHO-AX3caI/AAAAAAAAAiU/LbPw3jSgGBYne6_GBubVe6w36xeaSJ0aQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02919.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">If Raleigh in front moves the full 3 hexes, she leaves behind Baltimore and Olympia who have to pay for a turn and can therefore only move 2 total hexes - there's now a gap in the Line Ahead formation.</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5S4TRl9wuSc/WwHO_FhiROI/AAAAAAAAAic/a6Eg5R2KPCo5IcbXFssNYvf2dA8m3WsTwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02920.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5S4TRl9wuSc/WwHO_FhiROI/AAAAAAAAAic/a6Eg5R2KPCo5IcbXFssNYvf2dA8m3WsTwCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02920.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The solution is that Raleigh has to move forward only 2 hexes, so that the other two ships can make their turn and keep up. Net effect is that a 60 degree turn costs 33% of Move.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-okezeWFK-dM/WwHPAixijdI/AAAAAAAAAio/ryt1cW65vaIcGiJwpHnzxMq6tT8du6I5gCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02921.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-okezeWFK-dM/WwHPAixijdI/AAAAAAAAAio/ryt1cW65vaIcGiJwpHnzxMq6tT8du6I5gCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02921.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Ok, so there's the problem - what might be the solution to this and the awkward zig-zagging of fire arcs?</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Hexe facing variant - <b>face ships to the spine</b>, not the flat.</span>&nbsp; Can execute a small turn for free as it can move into *either* front hex. This also solves the problem of not being able to head straight across the board in the 3 or 9 o'clock direction below [you have to face 60 up, move, turn, move, turn, move, turn, etc, so it effectively costs twice as much to move straight in 2 of the 4 directions [board East-West].<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h47WYEe92Jg/WwHPT0cRgtI/AAAAAAAAAkU/Yu021FtbdIAQszhndWxwmC-QmnrcImXqACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02933.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h47WYEe92Jg/WwHPT0cRgtI/AAAAAAAAAkU/Yu021FtbdIAQszhndWxwmC-QmnrcImXqACK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02933.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This also makes the fire arcs easier to figure out. Pencils show how the front arc is straight down the spines, rear same off the stern, while the broadsides are cleanly along the spine line to each side.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Below</b>, using spine facing, a squadron in Line Ahead executes a gentle turn around an obstacle [yellow dice].</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tmi3M1H3ugo/WwHPXv2a2dI/AAAAAAAAAkc/IUNAt6ATSHU2CjbOtKVU-E02DOBJYOX_wCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02934.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tmi3M1H3ugo/WwHPXv2a2dI/AAAAAAAAAkc/IUNAt6ATSHU2CjbOtKVU-E02DOBJYOX_wCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02934.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Boston moves two hexes with gentle turn to left. Next turn, she moves one hex and pays one move point for 60-degree turn to next spine to left. Or, she could remain facing the same direction and just keep gently angling in either front direction.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VmdhnCfeVh0/WwHPYEnGoEI/AAAAAAAAAkk/qRHH7KOwZrQhLr0HHywwi0o9C7GMwul7wCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02935.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VmdhnCfeVh0/WwHPYEnGoEI/AAAAAAAAAkk/qRHH7KOwZrQhLr0HHywwi0o9C7GMwul7wCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02935.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Portable Naval Wargame - Predreadnought Rules thoughts:</span></span><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">A guide to translate ship stats into the game from Wiki, Janes, etc is needed.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The -1 dice / hex for gunnery means that ships actually have a max range of 1 hex less than rules state, i.e. a ship with a listed 6-hex range actually has a 5-hex range. This leaves you with the more awkward rule of "-1 dice for every hex past 1" so as to have a 6-hex range with a 6 / 6 battery. Or you can live with the 1-hex range discrepency.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Paying a hex of movement to turn one hex side is awkward. The net effect is that it slows a line ahead [column] down by 33-50% depending on their Move rate which seems extreme. In a chase you'd never want to change direction, even to farther away from the enemy fleet chasing you as you'd lose "ground".</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Restricting turns to one side after one hex forward of movement slows the game down quite a bit and makes it feel less "fluid", no pun intended. I see the goal, but I say ditch the turning cost and restriction - they don't make sense in the scale of the game, making it feel a lot more like 1800 than 1880.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Torpedoes are way too good. They should have only a small chance to hit [say, a natural '6'] but if they do they cause 2 FP damage.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The ability to shoot at any target, not just the nearest, results in a "shoot until it sinks" gunnery mechanism which is not realistic. Target acquisition was a major crew proficiency and gear test and was not easily done. Rather, it took a little while to range in and THEN you let fly with the whole broadside - game doesn't really reflect this.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The hex mechanism doesn't really save much time and effort. True, you don't need to use measuring devices, but the fire arcs are actually a zig-zag pattern that is hard to follow - facing ships along the spine would solve that. It would also help with the turning issue - you could still charge a move point for a large turn, but gentle turns in any map board / hex alignment direction are all possible or you can move straight in any direction.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I'm trying to figure out why ships should move at all in game terms. Scenario victory conditions and differences in gun ranges may force it. But if both sides are content with range, all ships could just not move at all. Perhaps one should get a bonus shooting at a ship that doesn't move?</span></li></ol><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Overall, I think these are an interesting set of mechanics. I feel that they err on the side of TOO simple, and that just a little bit more would both clean them up and give better naval feel. The hexes don't help much, I think it'd be easier just to use a Grid and allow ships to face either a spine or an edge [so 8 total directions]. However, it is almost as easy and feels more realistic to not bother with any sort of grid or hex at all - there's plenty of turn mechanics and gadgets to use that are simple and players pick up quickly, even if newbies.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">In any event, Bob Cordery has given us a lot to think about for free, so "thanks Bob!"</span>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-7596087196270568612018-05-15T16:54:00.004-07:002018-05-15T17:13:22.462-07:00Pre-dreadnought Project, p.3: Fleet Arrives<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>"You may anchor when ready, Gridley."</b></span><br /><img alt="Related image" height="491" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRAP-R08Da9GGcdBLKjqdGbDCRasWKrm9nPjl3wgkJtAMoAj4dM" width="640" /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Hooray, the WTJ squadrons have arrived!</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The box came from <a href="http://www.wtj.com/" style="color: blue; font-weight: bold;">Wartimes Journal </a>yesterday&nbsp;- not a bad turnaround time for print-on-demand plastics, which were in the order and delayed things a bit. The&nbsp; pewter stock was all on hand. Order was placed April 26 and would've arrived quickly but for the plastics which had it arrive Monday the 14th, or 18 days total.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">As always, the items were carefully packed in his special blister seals between bubbles system, and there was no breakage I can see, altho the plastic items make me a bit nervous - they're pretty strong but they don't LOOK strong! 31 of the 33 ships were available, and of course all the plastic was available. <b>Below</b>, metal hanging on box, plastics on table.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g90c64m1LxE/Wvtorb_rGWI/AAAAAAAAAeo/4ZdMaR-TJTIcZIM1NvkJ-ZcQzFptym9fwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02895.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g90c64m1LxE/Wvtorb_rGWI/AAAAAAAAAeo/4ZdMaR-TJTIcZIM1NvkJ-ZcQzFptym9fwCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02895.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The pewter castings have the usual bits of flash and some have mold lines but they aren't pronounced. I like them and their heft - I've always preferred the metals to plastics in that regard, they FEEL right! However, the line is being discontinued due to the ease of working with the plastics, plus they offer better detail, little to no flash, and great variety in scale.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PvbatvP9JP0/WvtoxEazY7I/AAAAAAAAAew/gQ1NP4m0TqARpndGCRZky0bp6uezbIspgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02896.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PvbatvP9JP0/WvtoxEazY7I/AAAAAAAAAew/gQ1NP4m0TqARpndGCRZky0bp6uezbIspgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02896.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i>*sigh* Don't know what will happen to the excess pewter ships...but I asked.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Plastics <b>below</b>. wrecks at top left and right, fighting tops down the left, destroyers / torpedo boats center, land batteries to right. <i>One error with extra large and no medium fighting tops that Jim at WTJ caught and is going to correct. I get some extra large ones out of it!</i></span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvgN0uHBeVs/Wvto2aQyHAI/AAAAAAAAAfA/GSCi8MbgKAg4nIJsL_G1nlk3GCx0jfe5gCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02899.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvgN0uHBeVs/Wvto2aQyHAI/AAAAAAAAAfA/GSCi8MbgKAg4nIJsL_G1nlk3GCx0jfe5gCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02899.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Below</b>, entire order laid out for tallying and checking.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs62I9c5CKQ/Wvto4baIzkI/AAAAAAAAAfI/A2-ct2f-NJA04csPvGb1ltnxyyohAcu2wCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02898.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs62I9c5CKQ/Wvto4baIzkI/AAAAAAAAAfI/A2-ct2f-NJA04csPvGb1ltnxyyohAcu2wCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02898.JPG" width="480" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The pewter list and ships from top down. You can see nice details like decks and lifeboats. Spanish at top, followed by French, British, one Austrian and the Italian ships, all conveniently numbered by nationality on the bottom of the hull - and quite clear if small. Very useful! Note how large the Drake is - at 14,000+ tons and 500+ feet, she was quite large for the period, bigger than many battleships.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UJQyDzH7pOE/Wvto6VgRpSI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/0VAp0A6OfUwxwShzptKs116HL1Gjl6PgACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02900.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UJQyDzH7pOE/Wvto6VgRpSI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/0VAp0A6OfUwxwShzptKs116HL1Gjl6PgACK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02900.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i>Regret that the lighting didn't come out as bright as it was in the room, but the flash would've made the pics worse.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I'm looking forward to this a</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">s a pretty quick prep, paint, and play project, that is also portable, and playable on a small space, so I can travel with it. Am enjoying working with the PW rules, and have a re-fight of Manila already planned for ASAP.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This era also encourages a sort of simplicity in play, also. The battles are mostly about gunnery as torpedoes just aren't that effective yet - altho they are a threat. Thus the primary tension is in maneuvering and firing, and we must rely on the scenarios to prevent us from getting bored with a "line them up and sink everything in sight" sort of game. Yet, there is some opportunity for odd weapons like spar torpedo boats, submarines and perhaps even a balloon attack - or observation - that make it a bit more interesting than a wooden ships and iron men era fight.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Once again, "Full Steam Ahead!"</span>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-45983938490947280262018-05-09T13:56:00.003-07:002018-05-23T17:14:53.244-07:00Portable Naval Wargame Pre-dreadnought Playtest 1<b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">"You may fire when ready, Gridley"</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">-- "Sir, do you think that someday the game will take longer than the real battle?"</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">"For some, definitely. For other, wiser gamers, one can hope not."</span></b><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img alt="USS Olympia art NH 91881-KN.jpg" height="354" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/USS_Olympia_art_NH_91881-KN.jpg" width="400" /></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><i>Ah, the perils of failing to prepare...&nbsp;<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Manila_Bay#/media/File:USS_Olympia_art_NH_91881-KN.jpg">Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=866380</a></span></i></b></span><br /><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I always have space in my life for quick-playing historical miniature games that evoke history, put forward key command decisions, and require a little to modest outlay of cash, time, and effort. My ideal standard is "<i>can I bang out a couple of these games in the span of time between putting Admiral Winkie to bed and going to bed myself </i>[at a reasonable hour soasnotto ruin my next day of work]. So with many rule sets to choose from, I find myself trying out a Portable Wargame for the first time.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This being a first playtest of the Portable Wargame Pre-dreadnought rules, located <b><a href="http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~warden/portable_wargame/downloads.html"><span style="color: blue;">HERE</span></a></b>, I wanted to stick closely to the RAW, tempting as it was to add things, etc. The principles being that one should <span style="color: red;">_always_</span> try the RAW to better understand the designer's intent and to show a little humility...after all, games don't always play the way they read and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A5-6%2CJames+4%3A6-7&amp;version=NKJV"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">“God resists the proud,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">But gives grace to the humble”</span></span></a>. Furthermore, you just might learn something and be a better gamer / designer yourself! So I curbed my enthusiasm.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">However, I did have to try to figure out if ships always faced a hex side [very likely] or could also face the spine - the issue being that moving <b>_straight_ </b>sideways across the board is impossible with 6, not 8 directions. I decided to go for the spine and see what happens With 12 directions to face I also made a 1-point turn free, while a 2-point turn [equal to one hex side to one hex side] costs 1 hex of movement, per the rules.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The plan is to use counters from my classic version Avalanche Press board game, <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.avalanchepress.com/gameRememberMaine.php"><b>"1898"</b> </a>&nbsp;</span>[now renamed and expanded]&nbsp;on a hex mat, respecting the small / portable game format, and incidentally setting myself up for the arrival of my 1/3000 ships which will be around the same size. Key questions being:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- can I fit this into my 3x3 desk area?</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- can I fit this into under an hour?</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- are the mechanics tedious and exhausting or do they let me think about squadron commander decisions as opposed to advising gunners on other ships as to the rounds to use, the windage to try, the aiming point, and other impossibilities?</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Let's see...</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I spent a couple days trying to classify the ships according to the rules and&nbsp;drawing up ship rosters for a Battle of Manila Bay scenario:</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QuwkaWfL_t8/WvMl5ZZ0luI/AAAAAAAAAeM/d5RP7Wgx1GIBQttuQ9cGAiQTVPxHGE_QACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02894.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QuwkaWfL_t8/WvMl5ZZ0luI/AAAAAAAAAeM/d5RP7Wgx1GIBQttuQ9cGAiQTVPxHGE_QACK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02894.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Ships are defined by TYPE, within which they are uniformly armed, moving and floating in 8 Classes from Dreadnought to Torpedo Boat: Dreadnoughts max at 8 fire dice firing up to range 8 but only a 2 hex move, while the lowly TB at 2 / 2 dice &amp; range but a 5 hex move. <i>Certainly, one can adapt this to an applied historical standard with little effort if desired.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Interesting game mechanics are:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- The TURN starts with all gunnery / torpedo attacks simultaneous.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- Initiative roll: loser moves first, followed by winner</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- GUNNERY is a total of dice, say 8 for pre-dreadnoughts, that lose 1 dice / hex to target. So there no differentiation of gun type - ships fire a total broadside with decreasing effect with distance. Thus, a pre-dread firing 8 dice at a ship 4 hexes away has 4 dice left with which to shoot.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I found my 25"x25"&nbsp;<b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.chessex.com/mats/Battlemats_&amp;_Megamats.htm">Chessex vinyl hex mat</a></span></b>, heretofore never used. While the Spanish fleet was historically weaker than mere ship specs would express, my assumption in this replay is that the Spanish fleet was forewarned and better prepared than in the historical event. I stuck a hill in the "northeast" corner to represent the edge of Manila Bay, and went at it full speed!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">In game terms, they had the following forces:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Spanish</b>: 2 Protected Cruisers, 2 Light Cruisers, 3 Destroyers and 1 Torpedo Boat.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Americans</b>: 1 Armored Cruiser, 3 Protected Cruisers, 3 Destroyers.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The Spanish were lined up building up steam in their anchorage, and limited to 1 hex of move Turn 1. The USA could enter anywhere from the West board edge at full speed, and took the first move on Turn 1.&nbsp;</span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lw6LKonOzP4/WvMlQ3YTDqI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/XkEPWx4i96s2zF96-iJo7U4BUutoGwfmgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02871.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lw6LKonOzP4/WvMlQ3YTDqI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/XkEPWx4i96s2zF96-iJo7U4BUutoGwfmgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02871.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Above</b>, the US fleet enters with its faster ships in the lead, followed by the rest in order of gunpower. I figure this central approach would put the US in a position to engage the ES if they moved forwards, but plenty of time to react if they tried to shift away. I was only partially right! All ships are out of range, even the AC Olympia with a 6/6 battery.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 2.</b> US wins the Initiative roll. The ES move directly ahead, hoping to cross the "T" of the advancing gringos. This they are able to do so the US turns left, hoping to catch the rear of the Spanish fleet and destroy the small boats right away.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqj8IwD1EFo/WvMlScZjvhI/AAAAAAAAAbY/P3gKP2Y_fTosmoSLgZRXbmr_2YBQ2NrlwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02872.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqj8IwD1EFo/WvMlScZjvhI/AAAAAAAAAbY/P3gKP2Y_fTosmoSLgZRXbmr_2YBQ2NrlwCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02872.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 3, gunnery [above].</b>&nbsp;The Olympia is the only ship that gets a hit, there being few dice and you need a 4-5 for 1 Hit, or a 6 for 2 Hits, each Hit removing one Flotation Point [once the&nbsp;<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">green&nbsp;</span></b>FP are gone, ship must retreat off board].</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 3, ES movement.&nbsp;</b>US again wins Initiative, 6-3, so the Spanish move first. They turn right to close range as their best guns are 4/4 while the Olympia is at 6/6. They also drive their DDs in for a torpedo attack on the US line of battle.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uBq8F265Aaw/WvMlVVXnkHI/AAAAAAAAAbg/85DUzW1CvnwE1RfNse_IMP1seloRQTQZQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02873.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uBq8F265Aaw/WvMlVVXnkHI/AAAAAAAAAbg/85DUzW1CvnwE1RfNse_IMP1seloRQTQZQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02873.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 3, US movement. </b>The US responds by circling their DDs left to engage what will in future be where the ES fleet will be [they hope] while the cruisers accept the challenge and engage the DDs at close range, the better to engage them in gunnery. <i>With Torpedoes having a 3-hex range and the hit factor unaffected by range, it is better for the guns to get into point blank range as they can't avoid the 3-hex attack.</i>&nbsp;There's no mention of ships being in the same hex, but I said "up to one big ship of each side, and 2 small ships = one big ship, so the two Spanish DDs are in the hex with one US PC each.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OCb9Tc0cpyQ/WvMlWwJhn6I/AAAAAAAAAbo/XTJZl3h64yYH5ATkUTEgNoJ2PxrcnGgngCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02874.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OCb9Tc0cpyQ/WvMlWwJhn6I/AAAAAAAAAbo/XTJZl3h64yYH5ATkUTEgNoJ2PxrcnGgngCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02874.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">From the Spanish point of view, this hasn't worked that great for the big ships - they are out of or at extreme range while the tail of the battle line is in range of the US ships. However, there's high hopes that the Torpedo attack will work out...plus, there's some drama!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 4, Gunnery. </b>The Reina Cristina [end of line] gets hammered by the Olympia and Baltimore. The exchange of cruiser Guns and Torpedo / Guns results in the TB Gen Lezo sinking [and...it didn't have any torpedoes, oops] and the Velasco losing its 3 Green FP and now needing to leave the action. However, the US PCs take some bad damage - the Boston has to leave the battle and the Raleigh lost 2 FP.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGlzD0lI5NM/WvMlYJ0UUrI/AAAAAAAAAbw/zQ-SGV5uzysi6MJ9zopeFv9w77h73StygCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02875.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGlzD0lI5NM/WvMlYJ0UUrI/AAAAAAAAAbw/zQ-SGV5uzysi6MJ9zopeFv9w77h73StygCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02875.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 4 Movement.</b> They finally win an IN roll, so the US fleet executes a complex plan. The Boston heads to the North board edge, away from the ES fleet and towards the US DDs, escorted by the Raleigh. The two other US line ships, including the powerful Olympia, start turning into the rear of the ES line. The ES respond by pulling away as fast as possible, turning towards their own DDs who are chasing the smaller US ships.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_8H9pbOQcnw/WvMlaWwoLNI/AAAAAAAAAb4/nkp9bXXBYx85IFNok-D6rHD_LTUv8kYEACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02876.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_8H9pbOQcnw/WvMlaWwoLNI/AAAAAAAAAb4/nkp9bXXBYx85IFNok-D6rHD_LTUv8kYEACK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02876.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 5 US Gunnery</b>&nbsp;results in the Baltimore sinking the heavily damaged Reina Cristina, and the Olympia putting the Castilla to the halfway point with some great shooting. <i>However, I somehow got confused and sank her [thus illustrating gamemaster incompetence but driving the historical result thru Spanish incompetence and lack of preparation].</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZUnv9Pz3Zc/WvMlb30G9GI/AAAAAAAAAcA/zZy6ypMnIegu1q9uHEyWR_HyRMzpYWdfQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02877.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZUnv9Pz3Zc/WvMlb30G9GI/AAAAAAAAAcA/zZy6ypMnIegu1q9uHEyWR_HyRMzpYWdfQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02877.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 5 ES Gunnery. </b>All misses. <i>Is this the inevitability of history in action???</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-maL2qUVtbUM/WvMldx-tP_I/AAAAAAAAAcI/umAJQ_VjNx0CbaryZzvx0FaRCxg_ce-VwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02878.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-maL2qUVtbUM/WvMldx-tP_I/AAAAAAAAAcI/umAJQ_VjNx0CbaryZzvx0FaRCxg_ce-VwCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02878.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 5 Movement. </b>Spanish win IN, and US cruisers fall behind [perhaps picking up survivors from the stricken Spanish ships??] while the Spanish maneuver for revenge: DDs against the two weakened PC Raleigh and Boston, and their two PC against the US DDs.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYVC0tIuXJ0/WvMlfT-BQJI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/1GW-2pZAPtcx7VrGFV0B0DLOVXO386QDACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02879.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYVC0tIuXJ0/WvMlfT-BQJI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/1GW-2pZAPtcx7VrGFV0B0DLOVXO386QDACK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02879.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Looking at the above, it is definitely possible for the Spanish to turn this around by sinking some of these 5 isolated US ships - but will they?&nbsp; WILL THEY??</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 6 Gunnery.</b> The dispersed situation of the ships results in just a couple hits on the DD Petrel and one on the Don Juan de Austria. BUT, the star gunnery of Olympia results in 2 Hits at max range...with one dice! <i>When in doubt...roll well.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ha0XBCtvlYg/WvMlhv2-mRI/AAAAAAAAAcc/6GghUcRpqLUUL-d3jlMO6yx3wQPriBpTgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02880.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ha0XBCtvlYg/WvMlhv2-mRI/AAAAAAAAAcc/6GghUcRpqLUUL-d3jlMO6yx3wQPriBpTgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02880.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 6 Movement.</b> US wins back the IN, finally. The Spanish ships try to place themselves for some solid gunnery. The US DDs dodge into the lee of the Luzon to avoid fire from the Cuba. The Boston makes it off the board, while the Raleigh positions itself to advantage. The Baltimore and Olympia pursue the last two strong ES ships.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WgP1H1wmH-A/WvMllOmoWQI/AAAAAAAAAcs/EpH2ylUuHyoQUuJoIQ5JEPVqjHN_1t_AgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02884.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WgP1H1wmH-A/WvMllOmoWQI/AAAAAAAAAcs/EpH2ylUuHyoQUuJoIQ5JEPVqjHN_1t_AgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02884.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 7, North Gunnery.</b> The ES DDs rip up the Raleigh, showing that they, at least, practiced gunnery during peacetime! They give it 3 Hits and knock out its green FP - it will have to withdraw. In return, the Raleigh manages only one hit on Don Juan de Austria.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64WpqbF61Ak/WvMlnbiK13I/AAAAAAAAAc0/zIwIoWCqe_c0zhV_sF6vwh4KV_JlE4rSQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02885.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64WpqbF61Ak/WvMlnbiK13I/AAAAAAAAAc0/zIwIoWCqe_c0zhV_sF6vwh4KV_JlE4rSQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02885.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 7, West Gunnery.</b>&nbsp;The ES guns are poor&nbsp;- should've got 4 hits, but flagship Luzon got a 2-hit on Concord. In return, the US gunboats inflict 3x as many hits and trash the Luzon, which will now have to retreat off the nearby board edge. At the least, Petrel and Condorde should've been lost for that exchange. Ah the perils of failing to prepare!!! The menacing [and lucky] Olympia is thankfully out of range, as is the Baltimore.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugrw4mzK6aY/WvMlqKQXNVI/AAAAAAAAAdA/8YYs8znkpLAFgF3sTna1H19KTAG6fxvXACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02886.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugrw4mzK6aY/WvMlqKQXNVI/AAAAAAAAAdA/8YYs8znkpLAFgF3sTna1H19KTAG6fxvXACK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02886.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 7, Movement.</b> The Spanish seize the IN back, and US maneuvering doesn't stop the the Isla de Cuba maneuvering well and getting the DDs into her sights. Raleigh joins Boston off the board, and the Luzon departs the battle with the Velasco, also.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8SPdGfYfI_Q/WvMlrsro4sI/AAAAAAAAAdI/UQrb9KTFJcsbI6IvjlDQgeEQsTAMCaaKgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02887.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8SPdGfYfI_Q/WvMlrsro4sI/AAAAAAAAAdI/UQrb9KTFJcsbI6IvjlDQgeEQsTAMCaaKgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02887.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 8, gunnery</b> [<i>forgot to turn dice over</i>]. Spanish manage 3 Hits but fail to sink McCulloch, altho they knock out her green FP. But, they don't lose more ships, so that's good news!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AMN4M5TdxWM/WvMltFxebqI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/z_uRUWJ5FlApuXQAjeMnviu9TDIG01NJACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02888.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AMN4M5TdxWM/WvMltFxebqI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/z_uRUWJ5FlApuXQAjeMnviu9TDIG01NJACK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02888.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 8 US Movement.</b> Options are dwindling but the Spanish win IN. The US close up with the untouched Olympia and Baltimore...</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BvQ35p0CXbg/WvMlul_bONI/AAAAAAAAAdc/7h1rifT9HREgNiINZRLKKXP8ZP9BpbzHgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02889.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BvQ35p0CXbg/WvMlul_bONI/AAAAAAAAAdc/7h1rifT9HREgNiINZRLKKXP8ZP9BpbzHgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02889.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 8 ES Movement.</b>&nbsp;The Cuba pushed ahead quickly to try and sink a US DD, while the ES DDs curve around the rear of the US battle line to avoid the full broadside power, and shelter in the lee of the Baltimore from the Olympia. Cunning plan and good handling!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7__9qBA8q_g/WvMlwiSKfVI/AAAAAAAAAdk/fQsRt99hSIkP0p2QEhrYukfCtbyMYoLkQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02890.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7__9qBA8q_g/WvMlwiSKfVI/AAAAAAAAAdk/fQsRt99hSIkP0p2QEhrYukfCtbyMYoLkQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02890.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 9 Gunnery. </b>ES DDs once again show they practiced in peacetime, putting some Hits on the nearly fresh Baltimore. The Olympia again shows itself the master of long-range gunnery, and puts 2 Hits on the Cuba with one lucky long-range shot [give that gunner an extra rum ration!]. This is joined by the Petrel putting another 2 Hits on Cuba who then misses entirely, perhaps due to the damage control efforts?</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nYMhudBObLo/WvMlyIy1r1I/AAAAAAAAAds/bp-RH_FqYtcytm46FehLfsgdlReYI-mugCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02891.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nYMhudBObLo/WvMlyIy1r1I/AAAAAAAAAds/bp-RH_FqYtcytm46FehLfsgdlReYI-mugCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02891.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 9 US Movement.</b> Spanish win again, so the US tries to block in the Cuba best as they can. The two DDs blocking from the front, the cruisers from the rear...</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DZY8BHqPH7Y/WvMl2xAhlPI/AAAAAAAAAd0/nK3YhD6abs0uJY8ZGeBp2uCESZLoEFzaACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02892.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DZY8BHqPH7Y/WvMl2xAhlPI/AAAAAAAAAd0/nK3YhD6abs0uJY8ZGeBp2uCESZLoEFzaACK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02892.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 9 ES Movement.</b>&nbsp;The Cuba retreats along with the Austria. With no possible way to hold off the US cruisers, the Uloa sails off the board, also. Note that one of the US DDs also has to retreat.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TnEg1IR6RdM/WvMl4DjFd7I/AAAAAAAAAeA/CxGPKgh0FUIs6Np_76XgbZiP9jwfgyIKQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02893.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TnEg1IR6RdM/WvMl4DjFd7I/AAAAAAAAAeA/CxGPKgh0FUIs6Np_76XgbZiP9jwfgyIKQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02893.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Final tally of destruction:</b> ES lose three ships sunk [one mistakenly], and four retreated. The US has four retreated, almost 5 with Baltimore, and none sunk [<i>without a Castilla error, the result could've been quite different, almost a tie, I think</i>].</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QuwkaWfL_t8/WvMl5ZZ0luI/AAAAAAAAAeM/d5RP7Wgx1GIBQttuQ9cGAiQTVPxHGE_QACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02894.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QuwkaWfL_t8/WvMl5ZZ0luI/AAAAAAAAAeM/d5RP7Wgx1GIBQttuQ9cGAiQTVPxHGE_QACK4BGAYYCw/s640/DSC02894.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Whew! what a great contest! Enjoyable game and not terribly taxing. Thoughts:</span><br /><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Must pay better attention to gunnery results and not accidentally sink Spanish ships...as if they don't have enough problems already!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">In retrospect, I think that RAW says ships can't face the spines, only the 6 hex sides, with a ship.&nbsp;I don't like this since you can't move straight, laterally, on one direction of&nbsp; the hex board.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Need some Line of Sight rules, altho I winged it just fine placing the counters within the oversized hexes without any trouble.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Needs some stacking rules.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I really liked the simple gunnery mechanics - the drop off of net chance to damage [which is the only thing that matters] is reflected by rolling less dice, but a lucky shot or two in a broadside is still possible. Thus in one roll - instead of 2 - you get the same effect.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The simple mechanics allowed me to concentrate on fleet / squadron issues, mainly maneuvering for gunnery advantage.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The IGO-UGO movement by IN works well. You can try to out-think your opponent if you lose IN, but it's not easy, and they get a counter-move to advantage.</span></li></ol><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Some changes / additions I'd like to try:</span></div><div><ol><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Fire torpedoes after gunnery - the reflects the torpedo as a closing weapon, sort of a torpedo run against defensive fire.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Give torpedoes less chance to hit at longer ranges also - realistic and easy.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Try once with RAW hex facing, just in case I'm missing something good about it.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Make ships call their shots, and fire on closest target.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Use simple Quality rolls for anything challenging, like acquiring targets, torpedo runs, any significant turns, breaking up a formation, etc.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Add formation rules for squadrons.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Add a Hit result chart for a few interesting things, like damage that affects: gunnery, torpedoes, steering, morale/Quality, speed, etc.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Add weather, smoke, sea state, shallows, land batteries, and mines.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Remove the Hexes entirely and play using the GQ3 time and distance scales, converting it all into centimeters.</span></li></ol><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Overall, I recommend these rules as a great place to get started with your friends, especially non-gamers. They can easily be made a bit more historical / realistic, yet they keep you thinking about fleet maneuvers not gunnery. This makes it a lot easier to put in important but often ignore things like weather, sea state, shoals, et al. Plus, it is portable, leaves interesting decisions in the player's hands, and not taxing on the brain.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>VERDICT: <span style="color: blue;">Full steam ahead!</span></b></span></div>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-46748688887814715652018-05-01T19:08:00.002-07:002018-05-15T17:10:06.994-07:00Pre-dreadnought Project, p.2<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>"Here's the Fort...now we just need a fool."</b></span><br /><img alt="Fuerte Niebla" src="https://photo620x400.mnstatic.com/332f2ce119b3dd0e88f138cac8422f09/fuerte-niebla.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.minube.com/rincon/fuerte-niebla-a110977">https://www.minube.com/rincon/fuerte-niebla-a110977</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Well, I'd forgotten that I wanted to fight shore batteries, and making fighting tops seemed like a lot more time spent on guesswork as to the right soft plastic to use...and then I couldn't resist some wrecks! What can I say, I hate paying for shipping and I like complete projects. And forts / batteries are key to many actions - more than most gamers want to play.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Nelson said "A ship's a fool to fight a fort" but it was done - when needed it was more decisive than a blockade, if successful. There's also the possibility of a shore party since I got extra lifeboats! I plan to make the boats on bases where they can represent additional sunk ships, or shore parties, or whatever.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Interesting to see how it all adds up. I didn't need to buy 4 shore batteries, but I want to have a more complex action at some point, including Manila and other fictional actions in the Med - there are some good rules for it in General Quarters III and I believe also in Ironclads and Ether Flyers. It also is a key part of many naval campaigns to capture a port, not sink a fleet.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Anyway, batteries, boats, tops and wrecks...it's all in here now! Just awaiting delivery at this point.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Shore Battery #1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0100781-30&nbsp; &nbsp; $5.25&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$5.25</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1/3000 Scale 5.25</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Shore Battery #2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0100782-30&nbsp; &nbsp; $3.75&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$3.75</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1/3000 Scale 3.75</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Shore Battery #3&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0100783-30&nbsp; &nbsp; $4.75&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$4.75</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1/3000 Scale 4.75</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Shore Battery #4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0100784-30&nbsp; &nbsp; $3.25&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$3.25</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1/3000 Scale 3.75</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Extra Lifeboats&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;WTJ-0100790-30&nbsp; &nbsp; $3.75&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$3.75</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1/3000 Scale 3.75</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">2&nbsp; &nbsp; Fighting Tops - Large&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;WTJ-0100792A-30&nbsp; &nbsp; $2.75&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$5.50</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1/3000 Scale 2.75</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">2&nbsp; &nbsp; Fighting Tops - Medium&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0100792B-30&nbsp; &nbsp; $2.25&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$4.50</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1/3000 Scale 2.25</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">2&nbsp; &nbsp; Fighting Tops - Small&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;WTJ-0100792C-30&nbsp; &nbsp; $2.25&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$4.50</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1/3000 Scale 2.25</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">2&nbsp; &nbsp; Wreck, Bow (Russian)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0100795A-30&nbsp; &nbsp; $1.75&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$3.50</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1/3000 Scale 1.75</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Wreck, Capsized (Russian)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;WTJ-0100795B-30&nbsp; &nbsp; $3.25&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$3.25</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1/3000 Scale 3.25</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Wreck, Stern (Russian)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0100795C-30&nbsp; &nbsp; $3.25&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$3.25</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1/3000 Scale 3.25</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">------------------------------</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"></wbr><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">------------------------------</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"></wbr><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">------------</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Sub Total&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $45.25</span></span>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-20618588197875162352018-04-26T10:35:00.002-07:002018-05-15T17:10:06.983-07:00Pre-dreadnought Project, p.1 - Start, ship order<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Every Gamer's Secret Fantasy...a Fleet in Being!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nt1u92T2o04/WuIM4LTQOGI/AAAAAAAAAas/eElFVUT5Y64cHXgqmjBaqSmYJusym5UmACLcBGAs/s1600/Tr-bigstick-cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="820" height="514" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nt1u92T2o04/WuIM4LTQOGI/AAAAAAAAAas/eElFVUT5Y64cHXgqmjBaqSmYJusym5UmACLcBGAs/s640/Tr-bigstick-cartoon.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><a class="external free" href="http://americanhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/exhibition/zoomify.asp?id=1937&amp;type=g&amp;width=640&amp;height=480&amp;hideAlt=1" rel="nofollow" style="background: none rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">http://americanhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/exhibition/zoomify.asp?id=1937&amp;type=g&amp;width=640&amp;height=480&amp;hideAlt=1</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Wow, pushing an entire year of not posting anything here. Where did the time go?? Lots of other gaming and plenty of real life. Still, no excuse not to do something on at least a monthly basis. Must work on that!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Recently got a promo email from The Wartimes Journal, a site, sculptor and gamer I respect and enjoy. All the remaining 1/3000 pewter pre-dread ships are on sale for half off! I decided to check it out and see what I thought.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Altho the new plastic ones are just the best, there is place in my life for little, durable fleets of simple metal ships, especially since much of my wargaming is now fast-play and on smaller tables. This also dovetails with my interest in the Great War at Sea series whose quick-play ship battle rules, maps and campaign system are all a tempting product for that which I adore - fleet actions and campaigns!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">STILL, one has to seriously consider any purchase to see if there's any point to it at all. I have kicked around semi-fictitious naval actions in various locales and periods, and I decided on Mediterranean Squadron actions, pre-1900, as a good project. Reasons?</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- British v. French rivalry, with Italians, Austrians, Turks and Spanish floating around, too.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- possible gaming of Russians forcing their fleet in Med via Black Sea, Gibraltar, or in the Suez Canal Zone as a by-product of Turkish or Japanese conflicts.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- one gamer pal has full Russian and Japanese fleets to fight with.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- multiple ship styles, national characteristics, etc.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- cool looking ships [well, odd-looking ships] with lots of different paint schemes and characteristics.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- fast-play rules design opportunity.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- Fiction = FUN!&nbsp; No one can tell you it ain't so.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- already have GWaS maps and rules, plus a couple of alternatives.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">- squadron approach means painting up 4-8 ships at a time, easy-peasy!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So overall, this just ended up being too good to pass up. I figure I can always sell them, even at a profit, in the future.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">Qty&nbsp; Name&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; SKU&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Each Sub Total</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">------------------------------</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"></wbr><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">------------------------------</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"></wbr><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">------------</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">2&nbsp; &nbsp; Etna&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0088214&nbsp; &nbsp; $1.37&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2.74</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Dogali&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0088213&nbsp; &nbsp; $1.63&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$1.63</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Calabria&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0088210&nbsp; &nbsp; $1.63&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$1.63</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">2&nbsp; &nbsp; Lepanto&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;WTJ-0088106&nbsp; &nbsp; $2.13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$4.26</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">2&nbsp; &nbsp; Italia&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0088105&nbsp; &nbsp; $2.13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$4.26</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">[Italians = 4 BB, 4 cruisers]</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Bouvet&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0066103&nbsp; &nbsp; $2.13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2.13</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Carnot&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0066105&nbsp; &nbsp; $2.13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2.13</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Brennus&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;WTJ-0066106&nbsp; &nbsp; $2.13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2.13</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">2&nbsp; &nbsp; Jemmapes&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0066122&nbsp; &nbsp; $1.63&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$3.26</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Foudre&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0066701&nbsp; &nbsp; $1.37&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$1.37</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">2&nbsp; &nbsp; Dupleix&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;WTJ-0066204&nbsp; &nbsp; $1.87&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$3.74</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Dentrecasteaux&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0066210&nbsp; &nbsp; $1.87&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$1.87</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="color: blue;">[French = 5 BB, 3 cruisers, 1 support vessel]</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Monarch&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;WTJ-0078102&nbsp; &nbsp; $1.63&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$1.63</span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">[Austrians = 1 BB]</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Pelayo&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0033101&nbsp; &nbsp; $1.87&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$1.87</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">3&nbsp; &nbsp; Cristobal Colon&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;WTJ-0033204&nbsp; &nbsp; $1.63&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$4.89</span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">[Spanish = 1 BB, 3 cruisers [can also be Italian]]</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Benbow&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0055106&nbsp; &nbsp; $2.13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2.13</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Sans Pareil&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;WTJ-0055110&nbsp; &nbsp; $2.13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2.13</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Renown&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0055112&nbsp; &nbsp; $2.13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2.13</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Inflexible&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0055117&nbsp; &nbsp; $2.13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2.13</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Dreadnought&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;WTJ-0055118&nbsp; &nbsp; $2.13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2.13</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Polyphemus&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0055702&nbsp; &nbsp; $1.63&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$1.63</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">1&nbsp; &nbsp; Vulcan&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0055701&nbsp; &nbsp; $2.13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2.13</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">4&nbsp; &nbsp; Drake&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;WTJ-0055202&nbsp; &nbsp; $2.13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$8.52</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">[British = 5 BB, 4 cruisers, 2 support]</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">4&nbsp; &nbsp; Destroyer #11&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;WTJ-0100411-30&nbsp; &nbsp; $1.25&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$5.00</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1/3000 Scale 1.25</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">4&nbsp; &nbsp; Destroyer #13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;WTJ-0100413-30&nbsp; &nbsp; $1.25&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$5.00</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1/3000 Scale 1.25</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">4&nbsp; &nbsp; Destroyer #5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; WTJ-0100405-30&nbsp; &nbsp; $1.25&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$5.00</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1/3000 Scale 1.25</span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">[Anyone = 12 torpedo boat / destroyers]</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">TOTAL = 45 SHIPS for $90 or $2 a ship average. This is half price for even Resin Panzerschiffe ships, which are 1/2400 so a bit larger. Still, a great price.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>This comes to 11 squadrons of 4 ships, plenty of maneuver elements for several players.</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">------------------------------</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"></wbr><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">------------------------------</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"></wbr><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">------------</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">Sub Total&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$ 77.47</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Shipping:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $ 6.00</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Grand Total&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $ 83.47</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Cool colors, cool ships! The pre-dread has it all for someone who wants "different".</b></span><br /><div><img height="320" src="https://forum.worldofwarships.eu/applications/core/interface/imageproxy/imageproxy.php?img=http://i.imgur.com/2ECvxSr.jpg&amp;key=f9bffd4d386c19b49e83d3be5ba08c6f533c8b3b605704ba4b73a64098d14abb" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" width="640" /></div>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-6375570721281888782017-05-30T09:15:00.001-07:002017-05-30T09:16:02.617-07:00Manila AAR, Play Aids for Avalanche Press "1898"<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still getting acquainted with Avalanche Press' "Great War at Sea" series. Haven't yet decided how it will play out as a table game, but want to give myself time to think over and experience it RAW.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ergo, did some more work to play the Basic Combat Rules. Made a play aid to help myself keep track of where the fleets are and their range bands. As the map isn't used, the BCR allow the entire fleet to be at only one range. Each side can attempt to close or retreat a range band, i.e. if you are at Long, you can switch to Short Range. This is decided by the player with the faster fleet. But if both are the same speed, you dice off and the winner decided the range band [they have outmaneuvered the opposition]. It's abstract, but not a bad sysemt, especially if you use Leaders to provide a modifier to the dice roll.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Below</b>, image of the two fleets, starting off at long range, arranged in little groups I find easy to track due to the log sheet. The Close Range band I intend to use later [it represents being in the same hex in the advanced combat rules]. I also plan to allow groups of ships to be at different ranges, so for example torpedo boats might close in while bigger guns stay farther away. This makes a lot of sense if you out-gun and out-range the opposition.</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTpCjj0DXzQ/WS2MGrqnPxI/AAAAAAAAAaA/9cIjsk0t0HoHMAr2bO1W5-pzYLCpnfXVwCK4B/s1600/DSC02459.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTpCjj0DXzQ/WS2MGrqnPxI/AAAAAAAAAaA/9cIjsk0t0HoHMAr2bO1W5-pzYLCpnfXVwCK4B/s640/DSC02459.JPG" width="481" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As can be seen on the counters, the U.S. outguns the Spanish in Secondary Batteries by 7-2, and in Tertiary Batteries 9-6. Tertiaries can't fire at Long Range, so it is to the U.S. advantage to exploit the 7-2 edge and stay at Long Range, which they succeed in doing for the first three turns of the game, trashing one Spanish Cruiser, the <i>Castilla</i>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Below</b>, it is easy to track both the range bands and targeting by aligning the ships during the firing sequence. So the Olympia is firing upon the Reina Cristina at left, next to which the Baltimore and Raleigh are preparing to pound the Castilla. To Right the Raleigh and Concord fire upon Isla De Cuba, and the Petrel and McCullogh upon Isla de Luzon. When the firing sequence changes, I align the Spanish Ships the same way v. the U.S. ships.</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHQfqPNY8b0/WS2M13--YnI/AAAAAAAAAac/w-O780FD6Lkgg7vr47zXEC-ScarD1EmoQCK4B/s1600/DSC02462.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XHQfqPNY8b0/WS2M13--YnI/AAAAAAAAAac/w-O780FD6Lkgg7vr47zXEC-ScarD1EmoQCK4B/s640/DSC02462.JPG" width="481" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made my own sheet - I could photocopy the ones in the booklet, but it's a lot easier to keep track of the battle when all the ships are together in an order that makes sense to me.</span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fOiUO_VGyaE/WS2MG7dVvoI/AAAAAAAAAaM/EgPtwzSJnSssaT-XqTw45CygTL1nt5sswCK4B/s1600/DSC02460.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fOiUO_VGyaE/WS2MG7dVvoI/AAAAAAAAAaM/EgPtwzSJnSssaT-XqTw45CygTL1nt5sswCK4B/s640/DSC02460.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To left bottom, I've the Advanced Turn Sequence and a summary of Torpedo Combat and its modifiers and special rules. Still working on the formatting, but this was pretty helpful.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even with the play aids and the rules laid out, the entire thing sits on my bureau.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-yuq1xcSvo/WS2MG5lmlDI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/llXfVpnpbw0nLEr7hoErjizGr7hYFEKWQCK4B/s1600/DSC02461.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-yuq1xcSvo/WS2MG5lmlDI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/llXfVpnpbw0nLEr7hoErjizGr7hYFEKWQCK4B/s640/DSC02461.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recommend using different colored dice - helps to roll faster as you divide say all secondaries up as red dice, all tertiaries as yellow dice, etc.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In this play, I did all the rules correct. Battle report is as follows:</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both fleets have a "1 Slow" speed rated ship, and must roll off to change range.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turns 1-3: </b>U.S. wins the range test every turn, and keeps fleets at Long Range, taking advantage of the 7-2 ratings in Secondary Batteries. They pretty much trash the Castilla and damage the Reina Cristina. The Spanish manage to shoot really well, getting about 2-3 hits for their 6 dice [2 dice over 3 turns], and knocking out a Gun and a Hull on Boston.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turn 4:</b> As the Spanish have a lesser 9-6 disadvantage in Tertiary batteries, and an 8-2 edge in Torpedoes, they want to close the range. On the fourth try, they do so! Their gunnery isn't effective, as they bounce a Tertiary Hit off of Boston's lightly armored guns. However, they do well with Torpedoes, hitting with 3 and despite one fail at Damage they do inflict three Hull hits on Boston and sink her! U.S. Torpedoes miss.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turn 5:</b> Spanish again win and keep the range close. Victory celebrations don't last long, as the U.S. gunnery leaves both Castilla and Reina Cristina without guns and dead in the water. The Velasco and Don Juan lose their Guns. The Spanish Fleet now has only 4 of 8 batteries left, all Tertiary.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turn 6.</b> Spanish keep the range close, but to no avail. All four guns miss completely, and the U.S. fleet sinks the Gen Lez. and Don Antonio, and loses gun on the Isla de Cuba. The Spanish fleet has no guns firing, two ships DIW and two ships sinking. Resistance is futile, they strike their flags but are proud to have sunk one Yanqui ship!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Final Analysis. The rules are pretty straightforward except for Damage, which is a bit convoluted in its conversion of redundant damage to dead systems. Also, the Damage charts have some "you get nothing" results, which is emotionally unsatisfying - Hey, I hit where's my damage man!? There should be something, even if it isn't much.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Changes </b>I'd make at this point, would be in the Damage chart and allow Groups of ships to change range bands on their own, and be at different ones. This would allow small ships to close in and fire torpedoes, while others stand at distance and fire guns.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Next Project</b> will be to modify the Log Sheets and add some heavier Spanish ships to the mix, then have some even battles. Massacring the Spanish every time isn't enough of test of the Basic Combat rules, altho it was very satisfying to sink just one U.S. ship!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll also share some of the math and conversion issues of putting these rules on the table - it's not quite as easy as I thought it would be! I am also leaning toward IGO-UGO for the firing rules, rather than simultaneous [aagh! Naval Rules Sacrilege!]</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-18462764297893436602017-05-12T09:00:00.003-07:002017-05-12T09:00:24.079-07:00"Star Wars Starship Battles": The Rebels Strike Back!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So after playing the most basic form of the rules, it seemed only fair to try them with the advanced rules and - most importantly - the use of Class 4 ships: starfighters.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only do starfighters,&nbsp;e.g. "snubfighters",&nbsp;provide iconic imagery of the genre, like the X-Wing and the TIE fighter, but many of the most important battles seem to be decided by the use of starfighters. Who can forget General Dadonna's answer to the damn good question, "Pardon me for asking, sir, but what good are snubfighters going to be against THAT?" in the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOgtj00Rp8s" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">briefing</span></a>&nbsp;before the battle of Yavin? Well, "An analysis of the plans provided by Princess Leia has demonstrated a weakness in the battlestation - but the approach will NOT be easy."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I scrubbed together a little Rebel squadron to take on some of the iconic bunch of Imperial Star Destroyers I have laying around [16...but who's counting??]. Never having played with the starfighters, I tried to guess at a reasonable force balance, and at least was partially aided by the game's point system.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It should be noted that altho I'm using the Advanced Rule "Fleet Building" and Optional Rule "Special Abilities" I'm not using the "Fleet Commander Options" Optional Rule. This would add a bit more to the game, and this force has no less than 3 ships with the Fleet Commander Special Rule, but hey, one thing at a time!</span></i><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Below, the Imperial Squadron</b>: 3 x Imp Star Destroyers, 3 x "Infinite" TIE fighters, 2 x TIE Interceptors, 2 x TIE Bombers, TOTAL 191 points. Cards to right with the Imp dice set to '20' each as they seemed to hit up there WAY too much in the last battle and replays!</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9eqhZJUWMo/WRUJTffdTnI/AAAAAAAAAXA/KjVXJwB-grwg1maoWWU1D_ZsL2NuYU-tQCK4B/s1600/DSC02334.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9eqhZJUWMo/WRUJTffdTnI/AAAAAAAAAXA/KjVXJwB-grwg1maoWWU1D_ZsL2NuYU-tQCK4B/s640/DSC02334.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zooming into the images will show the stats and special rules:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- The <b>ImpSD</b> is just a great ship - solid armor, powerful guns, Tractor Beam and can launch a fighter a turn. <i>I consider this the standard by which all capital ships are measured!</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- The <b>classic TIE fighter</b> is only OK with 14 Defense and&nbsp;+2 Laser Cannon - BUT, it has the special rule "Infinite" so when it is destroyed it is returned to the Fighter Pool and can be relaunched again! So, you never really run out of the little boogers. <i>This seems a bit cheap as it is only 1 pt more than a Y-wing, but the Y has two guns and up to 3 Damage, or triple the TIE, which is pretty useless against a capital ship packing too little punch.</i>&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- The <b>TIE Interceptor</b> is much better - 16 Defense and TWO&nbsp;+3 Laser Cannons, and the special rule "Interceptor" so it can pass through any enemy starfighter that doesn't also have "Interceptor" Of course, all this goodness costs more, so it is 6 pts.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Finally, the <b>TIE Bomber</b> is also quite good - for what it is supposed to do. At only 4 pts, it may have a weak Defense of 13 and a lame +1&nbsp;Laser Cannon, but it has killer&nbsp;+4 Proton Torpedoes that deal out 4 Damage - enough to take most capital ships halfway to the scrap yard; AND it has the special rule "Long Range Bomber" which allows it to attack non-fighters at 2 squares away dealing half damage [2 Damage]. This is important since with the 13 Defense most Point Defense on capital ships would tear these things to pieces.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Below, the Rebel Squadron:</b> the Class 2 Unique ship "Home One", 2 x Rebel Cruisers, 1 x Rebel Transport, 4 x Y-wing, 4 x A-wing [one Ace], 3 x B-wing, 2 x X-win [one Ace and one Luke Skywalker X-wing - "May the Force be with Him!"], TOTAL 192 pts.</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-myf8jDHSIco/WRUJU3jCtwI/AAAAAAAAAXI/fS5hGUBGAc4w-MvkB67kkHlrftEDBgrgwCK4B/s1600/DSC02335.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-myf8jDHSIco/WRUJU3jCtwI/AAAAAAAAAXI/fS5hGUBGAc4w-MvkB67kkHlrftEDBgrgwCK4B/s640/DSC02335.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <b>Home One</b> is a very solid ship with slightly weaker main guns but Fighter Launch 2, so it can launch two starfighters a turn, important for the "close in and swarm" tactic I'm planning, and it costs just a little less than an Imperial SD at 50 pts.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- The <b>Rebel Cruiser</b> is a much weaker ship but it costs half as much. The main guns are half as good but the Defense is only a point worse on the front Face. More importantly, it has Fighter Launch 1 and 7 Hull points, making two of these a little better than the Imp Star Destroyer if they roll up [14 Hull, twice the starfighter launch, and more maneuverable].</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- The <b>A-wing</b> is a scrappy little starfighter with a good 16 Defense and "Interceptor", but the weapons are a bit weak, with two&nbsp;+1 Attacks, one a Blaster Cannon and the other Concussion Missiles, but the latter are&nbsp;+3 Attack v. nonstarfighters and do 2 Damage.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- The <b>B-wing</b> is a heavy hitting if vulnerable ship. It has only a 13 Defense like the TIE Bomber but with three weapon systems it can deal out a whopping NINE damage if they all hit! It's Proton Torpedoes are&nbsp;+3 Attack and deal SIX of the damage, then there's an Ion Cannon that's&nbsp;+4 Attack and up to 2 Damage. The Laser Cannon seems like an afterthought, but hey, it can be used to destroy nearly any starfighter - this is a cool ship!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- The <b>X-wing</b> is a very nicely balanced starfighter with two&nbsp;+3 Attacks, and the Proton Torpedo does 4 Damage. It has 16 Defense, good as an A-wing. It's only limitation is that the Proton Torpedoes can only be used against nonstarfighters, so in a dogfight it only has one Attack, while the Y-wing and A-wing both have two. Still, the high Defense makes it the best all-around starfighter if you don't know what you'll be up against. But in a dogfight, I'd want to have twice as many Attacks! The Ace ups these stats to&nbsp;+4 Attacks and 17 Defense.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <b>Luke Skywalker's X-wing</b> is of course pretty amazing and can deal some dangerous hurt; TWO&nbsp;+5 Attacks for up to 6 Damage against non-fighters, and the "Force Sense" Special Rule gives adjacent starfighters -1 Defense. He can take it, too, with an 18 Defense and - unusually - TWO Hull Points. <i>Overall, my only criticism of the ship is that it still only has one Attack, albeit a&nbsp;+5 Attack, against fighters, making it weaker than most of the other ship types in a dogfight. I'd have given him two&nbsp;+4 Laser Cannons for 1 Damage, instead of one&nbsp;+5 for 2 Damage as that extra Damage point is redundant v. starfighters. Still, put him into the middle of a bunch of starfighters and he's going to impact them!</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It should be noted that an "Ace" variant for any starfighter usually means&nbsp;+1 Defense and +1 to all Attacks, and usually costs 1 point more.</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Force Comparisons:</b> The A-wings are 5 [6 for Ace], the B-wings 6, the X-wing Ace is 7 [6 for regular X-wing] and Luke Skywalker's X-wing is 9 pts. So the total investment in starfighters for this force is 71 out of 192, or 37%. The Imps have 31 out of 191, or 18%. So nearly a perfect 2-1 ratio of starfighter advantage.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is offset by the 35 point advantage in Imperial Class 2 ships, and they have unlimited range on their nasty batteries that deal up to 7 Damage a turn - each! The Hull Point totals are 30 to 30, however. The interesting difficulty will be the "Infinite TIE Fighters" that can be put into play again the turn after they're destroyed. The only way to stop this is to destroy the Imp SDs, which is the goal anyway! In gunnery, the Imps have 27 Attack bonuses v. 16 for the Rebels, a 1.7 - 1.0 advantage, so almost 2-1. Clearly, Imperial gunnery will be crucial to this fight as it is where much of their point advantage is resting.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><i>Overall, the sides are interesting: both have strengths but </i>different <i>strengths.</i></u></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>SETUP below.</b> The Imps win the setup roll-off, so the Rebs setup first. Playing across the wide side of the board, I don't want the Imps to be able to nestle in a far corner - just more gunnery with infinite range, up to two turns more, if I favor a side. I <b>set up the Rebels</b> smack in the middle, basically. I put both Rebel Cruisers together, hoping their starfighter Launching would be mutually supportive somehow. I set up the Imps in a corner, protecting all their sides except one, and all their rears, from nasty starfighter attacks. It also has them as far away as possible, giving them the most time for gunnery at distance, their forte.</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lNbiHEE6I0/WRUJajJv8PI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/ku6VDrZzjS4CXykumCSDLlkMZeASk2S5ACK4B/s1600/DSC02336.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lNbiHEE6I0/WRUJajJv8PI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/ku6VDrZzjS4CXykumCSDLlkMZeASk2S5ACK4B/s640/DSC02336.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Round 1 below.</b> Imps lose Initiative - they sit tight and&nbsp;Fighter Launch&nbsp;three Infinite TIE Fighters, one each. The Rebels move full forward to Fighter Launch as close as possible. I picked the A-wings to pin down the TIEs yet be able to penetrate the starfighter screen if needed. I also hoped their two weak Attacks would still deal nasty to the TIEs.</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gHUjJC_82P4/WRUJfJOKUGI/AAAAAAAAAXY/FzROwfEVmHkKB4DcE_TIAulW_wVIP_PaACK4B/s1600/DSC02337.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gHUjJC_82P4/WRUJfJOKUGI/AAAAAAAAAXY/FzROwfEVmHkKB4DcE_TIAulW_wVIP_PaACK4B/s640/DSC02337.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note that in their present positions, all the Rebel capital ships can hit the side Face of the right-most Imp SD, and most of them the middle SD, also. The turning rules make it hard to change this since you can only turn AND move forward. So those SDs would have to move forward 2 squares, then turn AND move forward a square the next Round, blocking the adjacent SD from any movement. This is a bit of a quandary since if they are not against the edge and crammed together, they are A LOT more vulnerable to starfighter attack. They are hoping to trash enough Rebels to win the gunnery duel, regardless of attack angle. Also, they outflank the Rebels in return, anyway - but will it help as much?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Round 1 Attack Phase.</b> Imps blast Rebels off the map, hitting 5/6 shots, destroying two Rebel Cruisers and Reducing the Rebel Transport. <i>Argh! The Force is with them!!</i></span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQZlU8j1okk/WRUJg4_9krI/AAAAAAAAAXg/TwVO83qoJBE9GuKoXb3o7pdR_26GChRogCK4B/s1600/DSC02338.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQZlU8j1okk/WRUJg4_9krI/AAAAAAAAAXg/TwVO83qoJBE9GuKoXb3o7pdR_26GChRogCK4B/s640/DSC02338.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In return, Rebs knock out 7/10 of the right-most SD, Reducing it - small compensation.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As this is a playtest, I'm not very interested in hot dice! <b>I reroll all Attacks</b>, upping the Damage on the rightmost SD to 8/10, and saving one Rebel Cruiser by rolling average.</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3TifGr6Qdew/WRUJjVRWyMI/AAAAAAAAAXo/iqa4kP7UfcoSt8shtXkiR9Yk-hDspRzmQCK4B/s1600/DSC02339.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3TifGr6Qdew/WRUJjVRWyMI/AAAAAAAAAXo/iqa4kP7UfcoSt8shtXkiR9Yk-hDspRzmQCK4B/s640/DSC02339.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Round 2, the Imps again lose Initiative.</b> Interestingly, this gives them first movement, and the opportunity to get starfighters where they're needed and lock other starfighters into position. <i>So "losing" Initiative is more like a win with starfighters. </i>Unfortunately for the Imps, all the Rebel starfighters are A-wings with "Interceptor" and they can just move away!</span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Xd0HuiqZwg/WRUJkeWfQzI/AAAAAAAAAXw/c0FXvYNemVsh2j2gMdemHddOfx6IcvxygCK4B/s1600/DSC02340.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Xd0HuiqZwg/WRUJkeWfQzI/AAAAAAAAAXw/c0FXvYNemVsh2j2gMdemHddOfx6IcvxygCK4B/s640/DSC02340.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, the forward positioning of the TIE Fighters [</span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">above</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">] is pointless. But, they can occupy a square and keep the Rebel starfighters from attacking the weakened SD or the flank of the leftmost SD, so that's what they do instead [</span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">below</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">].</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qvitrkdhsA/WRUJmGGxjNI/AAAAAAAAAX4/b4_TixQM4v0rKGcw6_C9kRazVgOQkousACK4B/s1600/DSC02341.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qvitrkdhsA/WRUJmGGxjNI/AAAAAAAAAX4/b4_TixQM4v0rKGcw6_C9kRazVgOQkousACK4B/s640/DSC02341.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The SDs then Fighter Launch nearly all their remaining fighters, two TIE Interceptors and a TIE Bomber. These protectively occupy more squares , leaving only a 3-square attack point at the front of the left SD; with Defense 16, I'm hoping it will be able to hold off the Rebels..</span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DkalqCHgHFQ/WRUJniYitPI/AAAAAAAAAYA/rlcsOZfYeYkd5vPdx5zjYY0A5UsaIQ2SwCK4B/s1600/DSC02342.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DkalqCHgHFQ/WRUJniYitPI/AAAAAAAAAYA/rlcsOZfYeYkd5vPdx5zjYY0A5UsaIQ2SwCK4B/s640/DSC02342.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Round 2, Rebel movement.</b> I pondered this a while. The maneuverability of the Class 3 ships was pretty useful here, with all of them moving diagonally and changing facing freely to end up on the Imperial side Faces. They then all Fighter Launch. Luke's X-wing emerging from the Cruiser, the X-wing Ace and a B-wing from Home One. The A-wings engage TIEs, with the Ace positioning to attack either SD or the TIE Interceptor, depending.</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sRidqZdsb6I/WRUJqsvP5hI/AAAAAAAAAYI/YhoaE5cgJDIyJQhYqcIizo0oxLaHpYvaACK4B/s1600/DSC02343.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sRidqZdsb6I/WRUJqsvP5hI/AAAAAAAAAYI/YhoaE5cgJDIyJQhYqcIizo0oxLaHpYvaACK4B/s640/DSC02343.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Round 2 Attack Phase.</b> Revenge of the Rebel Cruiser! It rolls hot with its Turbolasers and knocks off the remaining two Hull Points of the Reduced Imp SD.</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jSSxhyrKzgM/WRUJsolYf_I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/V-6phFiAQQ8Q6B3WtF197XP8nEz04oxPwCK4B/s1600/DSC02344.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jSSxhyrKzgM/WRUJsolYf_I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/V-6phFiAQQ8Q6B3WtF197XP8nEz04oxPwCK4B/s640/DSC02344.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Rebels target the center SD, rolling hot and inflicting 10 Damage, including 7 from Home One, 1 from the Transport, and 2 from the A-wing Ace's Concussion Missile.</span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0tGfvk_VKW4/WRUJv0DlBfI/AAAAAAAAAYY/_hX4eL-PargHTjmSROwde8XRAsgQmlOvACK4B/s1600/DSC02345.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0tGfvk_VKW4/WRUJv0DlBfI/AAAAAAAAAYY/_hX4eL-PargHTjmSROwde8XRAsgQmlOvACK4B/s640/DSC02345.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Round 2 Attack Phase starfighters.</b> The Interceptors to right both miss, the center one is outmatched by the A-wing that edges it out with a Concussion Missile [barely].</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kxg7BIzkvOQ/WRUKADhifJI/AAAAAAAAAYg/0qFyXXHZttI8KrudxXkcg4p3Mvty05AKgCK4B/s1600/DSC02346.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kxg7BIzkvOQ/WRUKADhifJI/AAAAAAAAAYg/0qFyXXHZttI8KrudxXkcg4p3Mvty05AKgCK4B/s640/DSC02346.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Round 2 Imperial Attack Phase.</b> Gunnery smokes the second Rebel Cruiser, but the Imps miss 3/5 shots, and the TIE Fighter and Bomber also miss. <i>I forgot to attack the Transport with the TIE Bomber's 2-square range, but it couldn't destroy it with 2 damage anyway, and I forgot to attack with the A-wing and Luke Skywalker, also! I also forgot to fire the Point Defense on the A-wing Ace and Luke Skywalker's X-wing. Learning pains...</i></span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xmD5T7N0YE/WRUKCNDM1JI/AAAAAAAAAYo/qfk68ahIlwI9WsTacihzSwzIz-h_zdsQwCK4B/s1600/DSC02347.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xmD5T7N0YE/WRUKCNDM1JI/AAAAAAAAAYo/qfk68ahIlwI9WsTacihzSwzIz-h_zdsQwCK4B/s640/DSC02347.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Round 3.</b> Imps lose Initiative again, but IMP starfighters get into position first.<i> I forgot to Fighter Launch the remaining TIE Bomber, however.</i> The SD doesn't move - too awkward and slow, and there's no advantage to doing so. Home One moves in closer and Fighter Launches two Y-wings. <i>I picked them for their versatility against fighters or the SD.</i> During Attack Phases, Home One misses, the Transport kills the adjacent TIE Fighter, but in return it is destroyed by the SD's Turbolasers - it's Ion Cannons then miss Home One. The left batch of A-wings miss and are missed by the TIE Fighter and Bomber. In front, the one TIE Fighter kills the X-wing Ace [THAT was a surprise!] and survives three Attacks! The left TIE dies while missing with its Attacks. <i>I guess he didn't ace the Imperial Academy!&nbsp;</i></span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-elJICFG4pgY/WRUKDhHvKiI/AAAAAAAAAYw/FhJSo3hloZoClpTDyjW65cFX_xxDydBzgCK4B/s1600/DSC02348.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-elJICFG4pgY/WRUKDhHvKiI/AAAAAAAAAYw/FhJSo3hloZoClpTDyjW65cFX_xxDydBzgCK4B/s640/DSC02348.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Catching up on some mistakes, the Point Defense on the SD kills the A-wing Ace but misses Luke Skywalker - twice. Luke then attacks twice [once for last Round, once for this Round] and rolls hot, hitting 3/4 of the time including one Proton Torpedo run, for 8 total Damage - the Force IS with him! Note that if his other Proton Torpedo Attack had hit instead of the Laser Cannon, OR if Home One had hit once, the SD would be toast! As it is, it is Reduced.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Round 4. </b>Things are wrapping up fast, with a wild starfighter melee between the two Class 2 ships, and little reason to maneuver, but I move Home One forward a square anyway, then Fighter Launch another Y-wing and a B-wing. Home One guns down the Reduced SD which misses in return. All that's left is the Starfighter Attacks.</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l1ewTz92YZ4/WRUKE76zGqI/AAAAAAAAAY4/e2PD-cPJNVYCyR9X2S8Uu6riFQfcuGPWgCK4B/s1600/DSC02349.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l1ewTz92YZ4/WRUKE76zGqI/AAAAAAAAAY4/e2PD-cPJNVYCyR9X2S8Uu6riFQfcuGPWgCK4B/s640/DSC02349.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At left, the Y-wing misses both attacks and is missed in return by the TIE Bomber. The two center TIE Fighters are destroyed by the B and Y-wing respectively, as Luke misses the right TIE. For sheer revenge at what is obviously an Imperial defeat, I attack Luke's X-wing with both TIE fighters, hoping for a long shot success since he has two Hull Points and 18 Defense. Wonder of Wonders...both hit! Luke is defeated, altho as a Major Hero he'll be rescued from Vacuum and return to the fight in the future after a long Bacta Bath.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Round 5.</b> The lone TIE Bomber is an Imperial devotee, clearly! instead of surrendering, he tries to take out the Y-wing, but just misses. In return, he's killed three times over.</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kG4AHHiQqY/WRUKFxcGvjI/AAAAAAAAAZA/AS6nAyuvFaIRX0gl3KeLIN2DzfIJeo-TQCK4B/s1600/DSC02350.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kG4AHHiQqY/WRUKFxcGvjI/AAAAAAAAAZA/AS6nAyuvFaIRX0gl3KeLIN2DzfIJeo-TQCK4B/s640/DSC02350.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Final Result.</b> Rebels have 100 pts surviving, including unused B and Y-wing. The Imps have a 4 pt TIE Bomber alive, and access to Infinite TIEs if they only had an SD!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1aVxJK688Ow/WRXHxPE4ISI/AAAAAAAAAZo/2Ccz8UiW7ZIXg0jeJmXdh-8OLc9fsucIwCK4B/s1600/DSC02352.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1aVxJK688Ow/WRXHxPE4ISI/AAAAAAAAAZo/2Ccz8UiW7ZIXg0jeJmXdh-8OLc9fsucIwCK4B/s640/DSC02352.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Cost.</b> Imps lose three SDs, two TIE Interceptors, 1 TIE Bomber, 3 Infinite TIE Fighters, for 187 pts. The Rebels lost all three Class 3 ships, two A-wings [including an Ace] and two X-wings [including an Ace and Luke Skywalker!] for 92 pts.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGrjkmePh4E/WRXHyYrYwwI/AAAAAAAAAZw/5rxIx-bqGrUszf798qBLveTCjxxRr338ACK4B/s1600/DSC02353.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGrjkmePh4E/WRXHyYrYwwI/AAAAAAAAAZw/5rxIx-bqGrUszf798qBLveTCjxxRr338ACK4B/s640/DSC02353.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Cards</b> show a wide variety of casualties in the storm of destruction!</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8NbKxwYshg/WRUKQJaajjI/AAAAAAAAAZY/2ex9TmHuacgIZjWYVwjmXpjZGhGItyUBwCK4B/s1600/DSC02354.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8NbKxwYshg/WRUKQJaajjI/AAAAAAAAAZY/2ex9TmHuacgIZjWYVwjmXpjZGhGItyUBwCK4B/s640/DSC02354.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Thoughts</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I'd toss the Rebel Transport, a Y-wing and B-wing for another Rebel Cruiser. It'd give me a bit more Hull and gunnery, and another Fighter Launch capability.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Setup was ok, but I think I'd deploy the Class 3 ships farther to the side if I set up second. This would give them the ability to threaten the side Faces of the Star Destroyers, while Home One would hit the side if they turned, outflanking the static Imp plan.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- The Imps don't gain anything by splitting up. As they want distance for gunnery, they either deploy in the center [if first] or a corner [if second].&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- There's a method to the madness if deciding how to run your Attacks, which provides a lot of the decision making each Round. Maneuver isn't that important for Class 1-2 ships, but it is pretty important for Class 3-4 ships. Basically, the big ships lumber around providing either long-range gunnery or short-range starfighter defense.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- This game is clearly designed to get you into a wild melee of starfighters. The big ships don't last long with the powerful, infinite-ranged gunnery.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- If I fought down the long-edge of the map, there'd be one more Round of gunnery before the starfighters struck. This could certainly trash another Rebel Cruiser, but with average rolling the three Imp SDs are putting out about 10 Damage a Round while the Rebels are inflicting about 7 Damage a Round, pretty much </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reducing one Imp SD.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So in three Rounds there'd be three dead Rebel Cruisers and either three Reduced SD, or, 1 Destroyed, 1 Reduced and 1 undamaged SD against an undamaged Home One. Or, they could destroy Home One with 1-2 Rebel Cruisers Destroyed or Reduced. This would still leave a weakened Imperial force taking on about 7-8 starfighters, which would be close.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most importantly, it should be noted that the Imps had less points and only rolled average, unlike the last couple of playtests of the rules! [OK, ok, it was only ONE less point, but still...]</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Summary</u></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, I think there's a bunch of clear decision-points for players in this game, even playing it "as-is". It's more interesting than it seems at first glance, and certainly falls into the One-Hour Wargames spectrum of having a lot more play than you think until you actually play it and think about it. The flavor is excellent, including the game pieces themselves. I must say that I do prefer to have the ships out of scale relationship to each other but VISIBLE to my naked eye. So a blow against scale "realism" here.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Some things I'd like to change are:</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- giving the Initiative winner choice of moving first or second,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- slowing the pace of the big ships dying to long-range gunnery [possibly by introducing some Ranges or making the Damage = how much you beat the Defense, up to the max],</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- make the starfighters feel more like "squadrons" instead of single ships,&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- adding another facing direction [so 8 instead of 4],</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- keeping main batteries from shooting at starfighters; the Point Defense should be enough &nbsp;since everyone has access to starfighters and most ships have some fighter defense, also.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- doing something about total freedom with Attack selection and sequential Attack resolution. Perhaps some sort of Target Acquisition rule to encourage ships to pick targets and stick with them, or it could also be proximity-based.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I do want to preserve the Star Wars feel</b> to the system and stay within the perimeter of the rules as much as possible. While the movement is heavily abstracted, it's very surprising how little that matters given the technology involved, and this is a game about space COMBAT not SPACE ASTROGATION anyway. General concepts and decisions about positioning are there for the players, and they DO affect the game, and that's all that matters at our level of play anyway, since all the technology is very heavily theoretical, to the point where it's hard to add details to it at all!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So altho this isn't the game I would have designed for Wizards of the Coast, and I do think they could have done a LOT more with the Advanced and Optional rules, there is more here than appears at first, and more to work with. I'll slow the pace at which I was thinking of introducing changes, and try to hit a couple of very specific things for next time.</span><br /><br />Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-84394929968824705222017-05-10T06:48:00.000-07:002017-05-10T08:04:41.171-07:00Star Wars Starship Battles: Grand Moff Winkie Strikes!<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Playing Axis &amp; Allies naval WWII at the game club got me thinking about my Star Wars ships from the <b>Wizards of the Coast </b>brief naval foray - with mixed results - into "Star Wars Starship Battles", and their line of 60 ships. I have a whole bunch of them, which I've acquired in lots over the years as my interest in the story world ebbs and flows. Sometimes I think it is just great, and other times I think it is just ridiculous [and yes, I'm a Jar-Jar Binks disliker]. Some of my forward drive was to acquire a number of capital ships, including a few dozen Mon Calamari / Rebel ones, and - best of all - Imperial Star Destroyers.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This was part of a plan to have great big fleet battles with the ships, but my interest petered out in the search for the right rules. Now, however, I think I've found the right direction and style which would of course be One-Hour Wargame Fleet Battles. There are no naval rules in that book, but the WWI / WWII rules I threw together for my son - posted <a href="http://redinthemorning.blogspot.com/2017/04/naval-gaming-w-admiral-winkie.html" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">HERE</span></a>&nbsp;- worked pretty well and have encouraged me to continue developing them.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So, I busted open the boxes and the drawers, organized everything and thought about how to adapt them to outer space, specifically to Star Wars fleets. One thing led to another, and it got me pondering 3D gaming, on which I previously posted <a href="http://redinthemorning.blogspot.com/2017/04/3d-space-battles-concepts.html"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">HERE</span></a>. But inevitably Wee Willie Winkie saw the pile of ships after a day or so, and his little eyes bugged out and he desperately wanted to play with them. I re-read the original rules and we sat down to bang out a game.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This was also a good idea b/c it follows with my personal rule to always try the RAW [Rules As Written] before I tinker with them. This is both respectful of the original design and intent as well as educational. Far too often, gamers tinker with rules after one go [or less!] and quite frankly they usually mess them up - including yours truly!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Wizards of the Coast, "Star Wars Starship Battles"</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">OVERVIEW OF GAME.</span></u></b></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Quick Start Game.</b> It's pretty simple...nearly simplistic. The "section titles" tell most of it:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i>Choose Sides, How do I win? </i>[destroy enemy fleet!]<i>, Setup, Who Goes First? How to Read a Stat Card, Starship Classes, Rounds </i>[Turns]<i> and Phases, Targeting Faces </i>[ship sides]<i>, Special Abilities.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Advanced Rules</b>&nbsp;only add Fleet Building to the mix.<b> Optional Rules</b> are better; they add Special Abilities, Fleet Commander Options, and Team Play, plus an "historical scenario".</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The rulebook also has a <b>Starship Concordance</b>, including a brief description of every ship [all 60!] and WONDER OF WONDERS a <b><u>Glossary</u></b>! This is excellent and has over 75 entries. Overall, the rule book is very well done: clean writing, great artwork, clear explanations, easy to follow, a paragon of everything a rulebook should be.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There's also a handy summary sheet that comes with the boxes of collectible ships:</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TIlYKM405Gg/WRMUSa2jqZI/AAAAAAAAAWo/MCbY9nIPPzoBRznsQjltWWcFe0uh4dZlgCK4B/s1600/DSC02331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TIlYKM405Gg/WRMUSa2jqZI/AAAAAAAAAWo/MCbY9nIPPzoBRznsQjltWWcFe0uh4dZlgCK4B/s640/DSC02331.JPG" width="480" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBRe3NPfmd0/WRMUVB0JDYI/AAAAAAAAAWw/h2hfMIlDGBsSvUlmVSJATbxXuycIqdhiwCK4B/s1600/DSC02332.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBRe3NPfmd0/WRMUVB0JDYI/AAAAAAAAAWw/h2hfMIlDGBsSvUlmVSJATbxXuycIqdhiwCK4B/s640/DSC02332.JPG" width="481" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Game Map</b> is a grid 11x17 squares, with a planet on one narrow edge - you fight down the narrow length. <b>Deployment </b>is diced off and seqential, within the first three squares of each side. Starfighters don't start on the table but are Launched from larger ships. Recommended game size is 300 pts.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Ship Classes&nbsp;</b>are in four types, 1-4: 1 are "super-big" [perhaps "silly-big"], 2 are a large ship like an Imperial Star Destroyer, 3 are smaller crewed ships like the Imperial Shuttle and Rebel transports, and 4 are starfighters. Most of the Unique ships are class 3 including the </span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Millenium Falcon,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Slave 1, Tantive IV, Outrider, Wild Karrde, and Virago. Class 4 are all starfighters; there's lots of variety but they're all pretty fragile [they represent one ship, not a squadron or flight] altho some hit quite hard. These include the famous Rebel "wing" ships, A, B, X and Y, Imperial TIE and variants, and a number of ships from the Clone Wars.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">All classes have a couple of unique ships in them, famous from the movies or books. The Unique ships have more special rules and "character". Class 3 ships tend to have greater anti-fighter capability [a nod to historical ship classes].</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Ships move</b> 1-4 spaces, equal to their class, and exert a Zone of Control into adjacent spaces, blocking most ships from passing through unless they can clear them completely - there's no stacking. Some ships like starfighters only stop each other, and there are exceptions with special rules.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">All ships have a card which gives its characteristics including Attacks/Damage, Defense, Abilities, etc. All the cards and a list can be found at Rebel Scum&nbsp;<a href="http://www.rebelscum.com/SWminiSB.asp">HERE</a>.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Following along an alternating Move-Attack-Damage Round, ships move on the grid, possibly to get a shot on a more vulnerable side or rear "Face". There is no range limit, but starfighters only attack and are attacked when adjacent to any ship, so the game can be said to have 2 ranges: infinite and adjacent. Most ships have a special ability of some kind, even if it's just a weapon variation. A D20 is used to resolve Attacks, with most ships having attack bonuses of&nbsp;+1 to +5, with most being in the 1-3 range. Most ships have </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">a Front Defense of 14 or higher, and</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">If your roll beats the Defense of the Face you're attacking you score all of the damage your weapon inflicts.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The turn sequence is:</span><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Initiative Phase.</b>&nbsp;Roll off, loser moves first and winner gets to move in reaction to it.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Move Phase.</b>&nbsp;Initiative loser then winner move sequentially.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Attack Phase.&nbsp;</b>Initiative winner then loser attack sequentially.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Damage&nbsp;</b>- all damage from shooting is resolved now, simultaneously [thus, there's no advantage to shooting first, it's just to resolve it in a simple order].</span></li></ol><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I think that covers everything you need to know, so here we go!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Wizards of the Coast, "Star Wars Starship Battles"</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">BATREP OF GAME.</span></u></b></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">With some trepidation, I prepared for battle with Grand Moff Winkie! [<b>pictured below</b>, posing to strike fear in Rebel Scum across the known galaxy...but "Army" vest??]</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SBMIS5E7BIE/WQfZi4aKwcI/AAAAAAAAAUE/C28c46L--ss7a75kDzRw8w2bOcrzqaKegCK4B/s1600/DSC02299.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SBMIS5E7BIE/WQfZi4aKwcI/AAAAAAAAAUE/C28c46L--ss7a75kDzRw8w2bOcrzqaKegCK4B/s640/DSC02299.JPG" width="481" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Actually, more terrifying to Rebel Scum is the 208 points of Star Destroyers arrayed before him! Speaking of which, here they are:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JbmmEVrKOVA/WQfalL4oZlI/AAAAAAAAAUY/JW09wJp96acpBLbRFO6TSO6-64NVhRhnwCK4B/s1600/DSC02301.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JbmmEVrKOVA/WQfalL4oZlI/AAAAAAAAAUY/JW09wJp96acpBLbRFO6TSO6-64NVhRhnwCK4B/s640/DSC02301.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This is a tough squadron. They have perfectly balanced armor, weapon systems, and hull strength. Their armor is 16-13-10 on Front-Side-Rear, using D20 for combat. Their two shooting systems are a&nbsp;+5/3 Turbolasers [Attack bonus/Damage] and&nbsp;+4/+3 Ion Cannon, that gets a&nbsp;+1 if the target ship is not reduced [partially destroyed, more later]. So for most capital ships, these Star Destroyers have a 50% chance to hit, and with two-three hits will destroy any but the biggest ships. They also have a&nbsp;+2 Point Defense which auto-attacks all starfighters that are in adjacent squares - usually on an attack run, of course!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Opposing their oppression of the galaxy are the Rebel Scum, erm, Alliance, Freedom Fighters etc of the universe, champions of peace, dignity and well, you know the rest:</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPBQS6FRlIg/WQfcVyXAqlI/AAAAAAAAAUk/tfeGjZYjIlsmriBLvwtsBUm6rKSMCpApwCK4B/s1600/DSC02302.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPBQS6FRlIg/WQfcVyXAqlI/AAAAAAAAAUk/tfeGjZYjIlsmriBLvwtsBUm6rKSMCpApwCK4B/s640/DSC02302.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The squadron comes in at lower points [Grand Moff Winkie, like a Wookie, hates to lose altho he does NOT tear the arms off either life forms or 'droids]. From left to right, are a Rebel Assault Frigate, a Mon Calamari MC80, Home One, and another MC80. <i>The cards are in the wrong order, however.</i> All the ships are close but not quite as good as the Star Destroyers with a point or two less defense or weapon attack/damage. They come in it at 30-44-50-44 pts, for 168 total, vs 52x4 / 208 for the Imps.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">But hey, <u>shouldn't </u>the Rebel Alliance be the underdogs??</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>The fleets deployed, below,</b>&nbsp;along the narrow edge of the square-grid chart of intersteller space. Seems the Rebels are defending a rebellious planet from Imperial retribution.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7uPX1HUZlJI/WQfaJGJwc0I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/DUxqRkqChgEl20Lqoj-5RQsDkVBFv0spwCK4B/s1600/DSC02300.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7uPX1HUZlJI/WQfaJGJwc0I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/DUxqRkqChgEl20Lqoj-5RQsDkVBFv0spwCK4B/s640/DSC02300.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Both sides are allowed to deploy up to three squares in, dicing to see who deploys first, with the second having the advantage of watching the opposing deployment.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Should be said here that most of the game mechanics are tried and true, not very inventive at all, and have the same usefulness and limitations they've always had. Nothing to say that one can't change them permanently or by scenario, but the rules do not offer variations. For example, it would be very easy to have multiple deployment procedures:</span></span><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Player A deploys half his ships, Player B all, Player A the other half of his ships, or,</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Player A deploys half his ships in Points, etc, or,</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Player A divides his fleet in 2 equal parts by points or ships - then dices randomly between them to deploy one part first, followed by B doing the same, then A's second squadron, then B's second squadron.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Players alternate deploying ships by class, Player A first with his Class 1 ships, then Player B, Player A with Class 2 ships, then Player B, etc.</span></li></ol><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">My point is not that the game <u>can't </u>easily be tinkered with due to the combination of simple setup and ship points, but that the rul</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">es don't <u>include </u>any variations. Anyway...</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 1 setup</b> - there's not much space in this outer space...wall-to-wall ships here!</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jyxCynB9PIA/WQfg1FBgDGI/AAAAAAAAAU0/7Y2t2me4MzAOBTmJ-y3ZAPbR3CTLjM5YwCK4B/s1600/DSC02303.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jyxCynB9PIA/WQfg1FBgDGI/AAAAAAAAAU0/7Y2t2me4MzAOBTmJ-y3ZAPbR3CTLjM5YwCK4B/s640/DSC02303.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 2,</b> an experiment in maneuvering reveals that it is hard to get on a ships flank without some ship also being on YOUR flank - a combo of infinite ranges and cramped map.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fuQsyqAOGgo/WQfg2xAr2WI/AAAAAAAAAU8/TSbRZIOOAgEFtnaUmWRiUDOnY4pQpD0wgCK4B/s1600/DSC02304.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fuQsyqAOGgo/WQfg2xAr2WI/AAAAAAAAAU8/TSbRZIOOAgEFtnaUmWRiUDOnY4pQpD0wgCK4B/s640/DSC02304.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 3-4</b> result in a quick pummeling. Fortunately, the Grand Moff - as usual - rolls much better than I do, making it easier for me to "LTWW", or in this case, LTGMW.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Turn 5, below</b>, has two Imp Star Destroyers facing a lone MC80. This won't last long...</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tsnF9qhgVmQ/WQfhDtOGJYI/AAAAAAAAAVE/z9gcfEyrIlYGgFP0jCglnk_4dDPly-ZGACK4B/s1600/DSC02297.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tsnF9qhgVmQ/WQfhDtOGJYI/AAAAAAAAAVE/z9gcfEyrIlYGgFP0jCglnk_4dDPly-ZGACK4B/s640/DSC02297.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Total destruction is quickly accomplished and the MC80 dies altho it manages to Reduce the left Imp before de-atomizing in a flashy glow.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Grand Moff Winkie striking a martial pose! </b>This sector of space is now cleansed of Rebel Scum, but the price was high - two Star Destroyers destroyed and one Reduced. Still, Empire loyalists can sleep better tonight knowing the flames of rebellion have been dampened by the boys in blue and their fearless leaders.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R1ylLiULvD4/WQfhGDOqepI/AAAAAAAAAVM/lJi5qOwwxqUp-VXt1_w0EWsgIyYrGhjlwCK4B/s1600/DSC02298.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R1ylLiULvD4/WQfhGDOqepI/AAAAAAAAAVM/lJi5qOwwxqUp-VXt1_w0EWsgIyYrGhjlwCK4B/s640/DSC02298.JPG" width="481" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Nice pose, but I forgot to have him sneer, which seems the Grand Moff thing to do.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Well, that was not that hard to get through. But I kept asking myself...why are we moving at all?? The game looks pretty cool, and we like the ships and the feel of them, overall, but yeah, there's some serious problems with the game.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Pluses</b></span></span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The pre-painted ships are mostly quite good - better than most gamers paint!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Love the cool cards, and the flipping them for reduced values when damaged.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Game parameters are simple enough to teach a 7yo Grand Moff.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Fluff presence is pretty good - Ion Cannons, Tractor Beams, Targeting and sensors all offer variety but without it being distracting or overwhelming.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The general feel is pretty good, with nice graphics on the playing pieces.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Turn sequence is easy to follow.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Minuses</b></span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Game is beyond simple, it's "simplistic" and that reduces its play value.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Some of the fluff presence is incorrect according to canon. Some is just incorrect according to English or reality [e.g. a frigate that is bigger than a cruiser].</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The map board is way too small for 300 point fleet battles. You'd just HAVE to get two at least and fight them together.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">That being said, ships die so fast - especially the smaller Class 3 - that space gets made pretty quickly. The infinite shooting ranges compound the problem.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There are only two ranges; unlimited and adjacent [for starfighters and tractor beams]. This means there's nearly no reason to maneuver.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">unlimited ranges also means class 3 ships are blasted immediately - they have fewer hull points, lower defense, and it just makes sense.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Since the defense of ships thins to the side and rear, your best bet is to keep your butt against the back of the board - ideally in a corner - then starfighters can't attack your vulnerable flank or rear!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">If you maneuver to get on a ships flank, you are usually flanked yourself, somewhere in your force.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">hardly any weapons have an arc - they just shoot anywhere. Two variations are straight ahead on the "spine" of the ship, and broadsides directly away, but few ships have them.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There's only four facings, the flat side of each square on the space grid. This is a bit awkward at times. Using the diagonals for facing adds only a little complexity and it's actually easier to differentiate the sides of the ship.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">All shooting is effectively simultaneous and there's no target priority; You just start shooting at a ship until you destroy it. Then you move on to the next ship you want to destroy. So combat is basically about matching weapon damage to the remaining hull points on a ship for efficiency.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There are times when its just frustrating that they didn't make it about as complex as the miniatures game - which would have made it infinitely better. It almost seems like they said to themselves, that the little people figures deserve lots of characterization and depth, but ship fighting is just like playing with glass bottles and hammers - smash them up and be done with it!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Overall, I am inspired to add some variations and improve it, altho it is also tempting to just can the whole thing and start from scratch. We'll see, I took some notes on possible tweaks.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">As for the ships, I really like them overall. While I can paint better in general it takes me a lot longer to do it! Some of the ships are nice enough that I wouldn't bother painting them better, anyway. There's a lot to be said for relatively cheap models that are ready for table.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Some of the ship models are hard to find [old original, e.g. infinite TIE Fighter], but their prices aren't bad - no worse than Shapeways or Odyssey Slipways, altho those are super-detailed models. While Millenium Falcon is about $18, and an Imp Star Destroyer about $20, the Geonosian Starfighter is usually 99 cents! I find it annoying that the classic TIE fighter is usually $3-5 EACH no less. However, if you average out the cost of a fleet that you purchase on the basis of likes and fluff, you still save money compared to most gaming projects. And of course the time factor is significant for those of us with family or who are not yet retired.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br />Some models you buy may not have cards anymore, and you have to download and print them yourself - not an insurmountable task given our friends at Rebel Scum.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">In summary, you will be seeing more of these ships and some more reports - I just don't know how much of the rules will be left in the end!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-20847959872443483412017-05-04T10:22:00.000-07:002018-02-04T11:04:24.091-08:00FOR SALE POST: Star Wars Fleets<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Stealing a good idea from a pal, I'm going to start posting items I have for sale here, just in case the right buyer comes along. I'll try to keep everything oriented around naval / space ship gaming, of course.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>First, Odyssey Slipways fleet ships&nbsp;</u></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>in 1/10,000 scale, from&nbsp;<a href="https://starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm/category/40/star-wars---full-kits.html" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">HERE</span></a>.</u></b></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">These are lovely scale ships, cast in resin. Very clean, easy to work with. No regrets with them as ships, I'm only selling them because my eyesight and time are more limited now, so I'm not going to finish this project. Heartbraking, as I really like them. Ah well...</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>They paint up easily and well</b>. My demo presentation is a classic Star Wars ship - it was a medical frigate where Luke Skywalker got his new hand put on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmbl8tLOfFE"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">HERE at 46 seconds in.</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Nebulon B Frigate</b> from "The Empire Strikes Back" ending scene [ship is heading to you].</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img alt="Image result for nebulon b frigate" height="518" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" width="640" /></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Painting test</b>- bottom is finished ship, including a shading, protective dip. Two above are primed in shades of grey. Bottom is a U.S. quarter, showing size [about 1.5" or 3.5cm] Easy!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BkJjd4VH2ok/WQOFD-Gg5GI/AAAAAAAAATU/RpucFEHjK4AVLA_p14gAO4Z0ZZWa26jdgCK4B/s1600/DSC00245.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BkJjd4VH2ok/WQOFD-Gg5GI/AAAAAAAAATU/RpucFEHjK4AVLA_p14gAO4Z0ZZWa26jdgCK4B/s640/DSC00245.JPG" width="480" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Front view</b> - lighting shows the deep sculpting - easy to paint!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7rvNxexcvM/WQOFDlGMKnI/AAAAAAAAAS0/D-DEr2lhn9QkMy0xhPy8Hy_Kzx6cTCZKQCK4B/s1600/DSC00246.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7rvNxexcvM/WQOFDlGMKnI/AAAAAAAAAS0/D-DEr2lhn9QkMy0xhPy8Hy_Kzx6cTCZKQCK4B/s640/DSC00246.JPG" width="481" /></a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Same, back view.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9D8cMXYzLiQ/WQOFD23vs1I/AAAAAAAAATI/LiQhFV28JWkiu-N5sFqJD6Uvd2cY_F3-gCK4B/s1600/DSC00243.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9D8cMXYzLiQ/WQOFD23vs1I/AAAAAAAAATI/LiQhFV28JWkiu-N5sFqJD6Uvd2cY_F3-gCK4B/s640/DSC00243.JPG" width="481" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Back view, more flash</b> - diminishes the depth of sculpting, but shows ship at play distance.</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDiVMizi_Q4/WQOFD6n-OeI/AAAAAAAAATM/xIZCByhZ0gg3OjFRskIxQcr1DLfMB4uCQCK4B/s1600/DSC00244.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDiVMizi_Q4/WQOFD6n-OeI/AAAAAAAAATM/xIZCByhZ0gg3OjFRskIxQcr1DLfMB4uCQCK4B/s640/DSC00244.JPG" width="481" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>In the flesh</b> with Studio Bergstrom Millenium Falcon for comparison [at 4x scale size!]:</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qJW_YZqv-us/WQOFEKgUZSI/AAAAAAAAATs/ihRTUnUxWTUOP_8b4dzDACUf8R63Lz_KgCK4B/s1600/DSC00237.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qJW_YZqv-us/WQOFEKgUZSI/AAAAAAAAATs/ihRTUnUxWTUOP_8b4dzDACUf8R63Lz_KgCK4B/s640/DSC00237.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Your fleet</b>, presently sitting at drydock on my shelving...</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-49QTSHn8XG0/WQtoCYqx0vI/AAAAAAAAAWU/Gh94XbOqNWY2h4fR_xti32zFpR_OwAfQQCK4B/s1600/DSC02327.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-49QTSHn8XG0/WQtoCYqx0vI/AAAAAAAAAWU/Gh94XbOqNWY2h4fR_xti32zFpR_OwAfQQCK4B/s640/DSC02327.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhrP68Q3EoE/WQtoCQAOjbI/AAAAAAAAAWM/AhLGHJz-6FMBIJjH7AehMx9bGolib_56gCK4B/s1600/DSC02326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhrP68Q3EoE/WQtoCQAOjbI/AAAAAAAAAWM/AhLGHJz-6FMBIJjH7AehMx9bGolib_56gCK4B/s640/DSC02326.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o1a8yrMJUks/WQtoCWnZziI/AAAAAAAAAWI/n3oMwSJLhoscVauHXv-JK5ql2uCk0UqowCK4B/s1600/DSC02328.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o1a8yrMJUks/WQtoCWnZziI/AAAAAAAAAWI/n3oMwSJLhoscVauHXv-JK5ql2uCk0UqowCK4B/s640/DSC02328.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i><b>Odyssey Slipways 1:10,000 scale capital ships for sale</b></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i>List #, quantity of ships, type, total cost US$</i></span><br /><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">3 x Nebulon B = $12.50 <i><b>[one painted, two cleaned / primed, ABOVE]</b></i></span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">2 x Nebulon B2 = $12</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">3 x Lancer Frigate = $10.50</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">4 x Corellion Gunships = $10</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">4 x Carrier Corvette = $10</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">1 x Imperial Escort Carriers = $10.25</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">2 x Carrack Cruisers = $10</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">1 x Assault Frigate A = $12.50</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">1 x Assault Frigate B = $12.50</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">1 x Imperial Enforcer = $12</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">1 x Imperial Interdictor = $12</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">1 x Flurry, Rebel Starfighter Carrier = $12</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">1 x Old Republic Heavy Cruiser = $11</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">1 x [Old Republic] Dreadnought = $11</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">26 ships = $202, pics of blisters / bags are&nbsp;<span style="background-color: blue; color: white;"><a href="https://starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm/category/40/star-wars---full-kits.html" style="background-color: blue;">HERE</a></span></span></li></ol><div></div><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Below, Wizards of the Coast Prepainted Nebulon B - it's a bit bent, but not TOO bad...</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwsqdaXgx-0/WQOFD5EoHMI/AAAAAAAAAS8/R414jVOTjaY81cYIXW1WTwqhxYt4sjsWwCK4B/s1600/DSC00247.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwsqdaXgx-0/WQOFD5EoHMI/AAAAAAAAAS8/R414jVOTjaY81cYIXW1WTwqhxYt4sjsWwCK4B/s640/DSC00247.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i>Surrounding it are the next bunch of items, cool fighters from Studio Bergstrom!</i></span><br /><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Second batch are 1:2250</b>, or 1/4 the size of the 1:10,000,&nbsp;</u></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">so in other words they are four times as big as they should be. This is good, because at 1:10,000 starfighters are almost invisible! All games exaggerate the size of the fighters in relationship to the ships, it's just necessary.</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajJd3yxxrvk/WQOFECj9U2I/AAAAAAAAAT0/Krj36nV-bEg2riqM94lf2PiiVZLsP-qVwCK4B/s1600/DSC00248.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajJd3yxxrvk/WQOFECj9U2I/AAAAAAAAAT0/Krj36nV-bEg2riqM94lf2PiiVZLsP-qVwCK4B/s640/DSC00248.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Studio Bergstrom fighters shown here with Wizards of the Coast plastic Rebel Assault Frigate [as usual, somewhat bent]. But the TIE just above and to right is my test paint job.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">You can see where I was going with the look - little flights of ships at various heights.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wn3YYFoX8WI/WQtoCP8hVDI/AAAAAAAAAV4/Xg2HOrKRaC06NS9-ybrIDgCSu95LXk4WQCK4B/s1600/DSC02323.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wn3YYFoX8WI/WQtoCP8hVDI/AAAAAAAAAV4/Xg2HOrKRaC06NS9-ybrIDgCSu95LXk4WQCK4B/s640/DSC02323.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Closeup of the Millenium Falcon in white metal</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kg3TDz_GM4o/WQOFEEwxOkI/AAAAAAAAATo/DpT-pGLr0-Y96qf2TIW-9pWZIa5LYrFiQCK4B/s1600/DSC00238.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kg3TDz_GM4o/WQOFEEwxOkI/AAAAAAAAATo/DpT-pGLr0-Y96qf2TIW-9pWZIa5LYrFiQCK4B/s640/DSC00238.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Anyway, these squadrons are from Studio Bergstrom, which is&nbsp;<a href="https://studiobergstrom.com/index.php?route=product/category&amp;path=48">HERE</a>. &nbsp;Altogether there are 44 starfighters and 1 VERY FAMOUS tramp freighter! Why 44? In an obsessive moment, I think I watched the battle scenes from Episodes IV and VI and counted the actual ships doing the attack runs, and that's what I came up with...</span><br /><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">1 x Millenium Falcon [cleaned and black-primed]</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">15 x X-wing&nbsp;[cleaned and white-primed]</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">11 x Y-wing [cleaned and white-primed]</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">6 x B-wing [mint metal]</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">12 x A-wing [mint metal]</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">44 fighters [@55cents] and MF [$1.70] = $26</span></li></ol><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-msOIkmj1O8c/WQtoB5vta3I/AAAAAAAAAVs/GY1QXT2NyYICfLEn0ndIYqlDsM8hXi9rgCK4B/s1600/DSC02324.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-msOIkmj1O8c/WQtoB5vta3I/AAAAAAAAAVs/GY1QXT2NyYICfLEn0ndIYqlDsM8hXi9rgCK4B/s640/DSC02324.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">For the opposing Imperials, shown <a href="https://studiobergstrom.com/index.php?route=product/category&amp;path=58_77" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">HERE</span></a>, I ended up with a nice batch of ships, including plenty of cannon fodder for the Rebels to shoot to pieces, AKA 24 TIE fighters!</span></div><div><ol><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">24 x classic TIE fighters ["eyeballs"]&nbsp;[cleaned and grey-primed]</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">7 x TIE bombers ["dupes"]</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">6 x TIE advanced X1 [aka Darth Vader's fighter]</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">6 x TIE interceptors ["squints"]</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">2 x TIE experimental air superiority [sk x1?]</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">51 TIE types [@55 cents] = $28</span></li></ol></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qpQ0s2oyE7I/WQtoCKPIUNI/AAAAAAAAAV8/g1ZJryhUxVkP2wAnLYiPNhxfS6KsgLy4wCK4B/s1600/DSC02325.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qpQ0s2oyE7I/WQtoCKPIUNI/AAAAAAAAAV8/g1ZJryhUxVkP2wAnLYiPNhxfS6KsgLy4wCK4B/s640/DSC02325.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">From Odyssey Slipways [above]</span></div><div><ol><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">1 x Tantive IV = $10</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">2 x 9 ARC starfighters = $23</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Total OS 1:2250 ships = $33</span></li></ol><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">TOTAL ALL AUCTIONS = <span style="background-color: red; color: white;">$300</span></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">YOUR PRICE</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">:&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: red; color: white; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">$190</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">You may reply with a comment here with your interest, and "May the force be with you!"</span>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-83296197606160648612017-05-03T12:07:00.003-07:002017-05-04T10:30:21.134-07:00Storing WoC Starfighters: Scottish Style<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I am part Scot, I reserve the right to make allusions to my thrifty side!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Got a large auction of Wizards of the Coast Star Wars Starship Battles ships, including 64 fighters and 21 class 3-1 models for $90. This was a great deal for the ships, but alas, they did not have cards. A visit to <a href="http://rebelscum.com/SWminiSB.asp" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">Rebel Scum</span></a>&nbsp;and I downloaded the few cards I didn't already have - this lot was obviously someone's box purchases with lots of Commons.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, this meant storage issues for a lot of little starfighters. I thought about my previous storage for my 1/2400 ships, and nearby on the table was a lint roller I use to dust / de-crumb the sofas, and hmmmmm.....</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The result of creative solution-oriented thinking - yep, they are sideways!</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXqFs2VmUmw/WQoFQl0izjI/AAAAAAAAAVc/Bfwm1-RWEt0Z7QDvzEdSzWOVWIzl80wrgCK4B/s1600/20170503_115619.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXqFs2VmUmw/WQoFQl0izjI/AAAAAAAAAVc/Bfwm1-RWEt0Z7QDvzEdSzWOVWIzl80wrgCK4B/s640/20170503_115619.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Needed</b>: JCrew shirt box taller than a B-Wing, lint roller, masking tape, about 20 minutes</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Pretty simple project:</b></span><br /><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pulled fresh strips off the lint roller - they're about 6x5" pieces of masking tape.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Folded over the edges, pushed them onto box, creased the fold with my fingers.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Left some spaces as the tape is more than sticky enough to hold a starfighter model only half on it - didn't want problems breaking the stands when picking them up.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put them in tight as I was uncertain they'd all fit, but they did just make it!</span></li></ol><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This has me pleased - I try not to spend money on things like storage unless it is very important to preserving the models / figures. A great thing about these models is they are light and durable, and that makes them easy to store and transport.</span>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-11792083369972178742017-04-27T13:48:00.004-07:002018-05-15T17:05:02.363-07:003D Space Battles - Concepts<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Played a game of modified Axis and Allies WWII ships with the local group - I should've gotten some pics...always forgetting to use this new-fangled high-falootin' fone I have! Anyway, got me the itch to get back to more One-Hour Wargames ships. However, as the group seems to like their version of WWII it made me think of a return to "The Final Frontier - SPACE".</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Revisiting a number of my old concepts got me tinkering around with the pile of Wizards of the Coast [WoC] ships I've in boxes. I took them out and it was quite a lot of capital ships, a bit thin on fighters, however. But conceiving of things in terms of a squadrons of four capital ships still has me able to field forces of 10-12 squadrons!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This got me to thinking again about table space, movement and 3D. I realize that there's not an essential need for 3D space battles, but dangit, it just reminds me of surface navy actions without it! A quick visit to the local Bed Bath and Beyond while doing errands today and I got a dozen shoebox storage boxes for about $11. This is a cheap investment to see how height and depth "feel" to the game, and hey, we can always use them as boxes!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rebel Fleet squadrons <b>below</b>:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iBOALxP9y9I/WQJWMsmQt8I/AAAAAAAAASU/h1sKo5uRy5oZnt-E_jgd-plvQEiwRJOKgCK4B/s1600/20170427_161727.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iBOALxP9y9I/WQJWMsmQt8I/AAAAAAAAASU/h1sKo5uRy5oZnt-E_jgd-plvQEiwRJOKgCK4B/s640/20170427_161727.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imperial squadrons:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dnCWXtQxurY/WQJWOm4XI5I/AAAAAAAAASc/GecVwXyLoL8jMIyCYZh9rBZOImO8sS7OQCK4B/s1600/20170427_161710.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dnCWXtQxurY/WQJWOm4XI5I/AAAAAAAAASc/GecVwXyLoL8jMIyCYZh9rBZOImO8sS7OQCK4B/s640/20170427_161710.jpg" width="384" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the side they look OK. The boxes are a bit busy with patterns and shapes, however.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rebel fighter squadrons - they'd need small containers, also.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0X1Y-YIebc/WQJWRmeyAoI/AAAAAAAAASk/m7mRrcUWex0B0sgFymW3wED9DYON5e-MQCK4B/s1600/20170427_161741.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0X1Y-YIebc/WQJWRmeyAoI/AAAAAAAAASk/m7mRrcUWex0B0sgFymW3wED9DYON5e-MQCK4B/s640/20170427_161741.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like the height and depth, but these shoebox storage boxes obscure the models too much, and the lids snap on which is a bit awkward at times. Did a search for some lucite display boxes and found this&nbsp;from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.allbricks.com.sg/products/customised-acrylic-display-case?variant=9590711171">ALLBRICKS</a>&nbsp;in Singapore...I assume shipping of 12" cubes to USA kills the $1 price tag!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Custom Made Acrylic Display Case - ALLBRICKS" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0910/7188/products/CABKSPAB_large.jpg?v=1492362678" /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I like the idea. A 5-sided cube or rectangle about 12" square would work nicely for batches of 4 ships. The open side could face the side, allowing players easy access to ships but also easy stacking on top. I'm thinking that ships that are at an "elevation" of up to 2, could sit on empty boxes and they'd still provide space for ships to move into. I think with one "middle level" assumed, and one above and below, would give enough height to the project. All the ships need to do is be "above" or "below" anyway, for tactical purposes of the game design I'm thinking of. I contacted a local plastics dealer and am awaiting a price quote, but anyone know where I can get a few dozen cheap clear plastic cubes???</span><br /><br />Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-71919316127575913972017-04-24T18:16:00.001-07:002017-04-25T09:10:36.302-07:00First Playtest: Avalanche Games "Great War at Sea"<b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">"Remember the Maine and to 'H-E-double toothpick' with Spain!"</span></b><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img alt="Image result for uss maine" src="http://www.spanamwar.com/mainewrk.jpg" /></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i>inquiry did little to determine cause of Maine's explosion or defuse diplomatic tensions...</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I've been realizing and emphasizing that the critical shaping factors in a naval scenario are really strategic - fleet battles were rarely fought solely for tactical reasons. So when, where and how a fleet action is fought is most likely to historically be a combination of strategic reasons [gaining a port, protecting an invasion convoy] and specific local reasons [refueling issues, the weather].&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i>It should be noted, however, that there's a contingent of gamers playing small boat coastal warfare often in 1/600 - this is perhaps the skirmish gaming of naval warfare. I also play "skirmish WWII destroyer actions" so far all historical ones in 1/700. These of course are more likely to be structured by tactical issues, especially the relative qualities of the gear.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">With this thought in mind, it has been of great interest to me to discover the Avalanche Press series of naval boardgames, "Great War at Sea" [pre-dreadnoughts and WWI] and "Second World War at Sea" [WWII]. I bought a used copy of&nbsp;the box game&nbsp;<i>1898&nbsp;</i>at a reasonable price on eBay a while ago, and finally got around to the initial playtest today.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bottom Line Up Front:</b><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The Avalanche Press approach is a great start in naval gaming for anyone. It has:</span><br /><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">medium cost [about $50-100, game includes hundreds of ship counters],&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">provides everything needed for full-spectrum naval operations in strategic context&nbsp;[including airpower, mines, convoys, maps, scenarios, campaigns, etc],</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">and also offers quick, fun ways to play a one-off "let's drop dice and sink ships" game</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The AP:GWaS approach has two combat systems; Basic and Advanced;&nbsp;</span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The Basic is mapless - it could easily be played via email.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The Advanced uses a tactical hex map and is best played live.</span></li></ul><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This system means that there's lots of ways to resolve campaign play. Players can play easily by email and resolve a battle using the Basic Combat rules if they don't have time to get together live or the battle isn't very important. This is important given the time restrictions most of us have due to over-scheduling / over-commitment.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The only aspect partially sacrificed is detailed technical play; abstraction level is higher than&nbsp;<i>General Quarters 3.3</i>, and -about- the same as&nbsp;<i>Naval Thunder: Clash of Dreadnoughts</i>. Each game has the core GWaS rules, common to them all [and of course there's "Second World War at Sea" which does the same for WWII].</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This game is played on hexes / squares as a board game. However, I believe the system can be adapted without too much pain onto the table with miniatures. The main problem will be that the hex distance is pretty large, so detailed movement of ships isn't included in the rules - at all. On the other hand, aside from using miniatures, you don't HAVE to switch it to the table unless you want that freedom of movement and more friction.</span></li></ol><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Acquiring new copies of a game in the series is easy, if in print,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.avalanchepress.com/" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">HERE</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Acquiring less expensive copies of used and out of print Avalanche Press games is not too difficult on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ebay.com/http://www.ebay.com/" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">eBay</span></a>&nbsp;or at&nbsp;</span><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/geeksearch.php?action=search&amp;objecttype=boardgame&amp;q=Great+War+at+Sea&amp;B1=Go" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">Board Game Geek</span></a><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">, altho you have to be patient and stalk the game you want, usually. As there are many versions, both historical and speculative, there's plenty of gaming out there for the cost-conscious gamer.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i>1</i></span></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">898&nbsp;</i><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">covers the Spanish-American War and therefore uses the Great War at Sea core rules, with just a few period-specific changes. It includes counters and stats for all US and Spanish ships, and a few ships for alternative scenarios. Of course, you can include ships from other pre-dreadnought games, and freely mix them in as speculative historical events, what-ifs, etc, since there are point values for all the ships.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Box Front Cover</span></b><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DIf2843QZmY/WP5XVu8U0BI/AAAAAAAACWQ/FuXyPLDGN-wQc1vrzQkVfZcu-lDF01TOQCK4B/s1600/20170424_135201.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DIf2843QZmY/WP5XVu8U0BI/AAAAAAAACWQ/FuXyPLDGN-wQc1vrzQkVfZcu-lDF01TOQCK4B/s640/20170424_135201.jpg" width="384" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Box Back Cover - shows strategic map of S. Floriday past Cuba</span></b><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mSLU6bf1QA/WP5XVT4m4NI/AAAAAAAACWI/wJj2e7OIbTQ2ihaqxhBCL7Dm96TUfBIlgCK4B/s1600/20170424_135208.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mSLU6bf1QA/WP5XVT4m4NI/AAAAAAAACWI/wJj2e7OIbTQ2ihaqxhBCL7Dm96TUfBIlgCK4B/s640/20170424_135208.jpg" width="384" /></span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">However, the strategic map only covers the Caribbean, not the Philippines...</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XD-GnL7b5bM/WP56ZAmtfCI/AAAAAAAAARM/vQbu8XaCp7s7pbABiczeQb-sNlKwxqyDQCK4B/s1600/DSC02379.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XD-GnL7b5bM/WP56ZAmtfCI/AAAAAAAAARM/vQbu8XaCp7s7pbABiczeQb-sNlKwxqyDQCK4B/s640/DSC02379.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">so you'd need one of the other games that has a map of the Southwest Pacific - there's one in the 2WWaS "Strike South" game, which I have, and I believe one or two other games:</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2K7VKVzQTzM/WP5vCx3J6YI/AAAAAAAAAQg/NIwx50DdxioZ1-WIHdgT7QwxwIcUslh9wCK4B/s1600/20170424_140300.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2K7VKVzQTzM/WP5vCx3J6YI/AAAAAAAAAQg/NIwx50DdxioZ1-WIHdgT7QwxwIcUslh9wCK4B/s640/20170424_140300.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Map uses 32 mile squares, ingeniously offset to solve the "diagonal movement problem".</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>The Core rules</b> are used in each of the two game systems as the basis for all the games in the systems, whether WWII or the era preceding, either Dreadnought or pre-Dreadnought:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jfNUv7lvCWA/WP6agz_da6I/AAAAAAAAARc/2a7xYRQGi2oLA0EiEMtf6GUrtEcLIRF8ACK4B/s1600/DSC02375.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jfNUv7lvCWA/WP6agz_da6I/AAAAAAAAARc/2a7xYRQGi2oLA0EiEMtf6GUrtEcLIRF8ACK4B/s640/DSC02375.JPG" width="480" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5N6dBSFijE/WP6amU-Ij_I/AAAAAAAAARk/SvGEgtfSGnw_zKWknn_z-IY3b1_xSOnVACK4B/s1600/DSC02376.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5N6dBSFijE/WP6amU-Ij_I/AAAAAAAAARk/SvGEgtfSGnw_zKWknn_z-IY3b1_xSOnVACK4B/s640/DSC02376.JPG" width="480" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">As can be seen, all key aspects of strategic naval war are covered.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Each game also comes with a scenario booklet, giving rules changes and then a series of Battle Scenarios [one-off games, strictly combat]</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka9e7aR0QI0/WP6bHEELqGI/AAAAAAAAARw/C5SwhRifE8IfUchOMFjMeJEhFdPzmRGhQCK4B/s1600/DSC02377.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka9e7aR0QI0/WP6bHEELqGI/AAAAAAAAARw/C5SwhRifE8IfUchOMFjMeJEhFdPzmRGhQCK4B/s640/DSC02377.JPG" width="480" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5WWtynUkSkQ/WP6bJGzxU4I/AAAAAAAAAR4/ih2XUgf8fNQ3hJADHJ8lfWcOCyG_dPkDACK4B/s1600/DSC02378.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5WWtynUkSkQ/WP6bJGzxU4I/AAAAAAAAAR4/ih2XUgf8fNQ3hJADHJ8lfWcOCyG_dPkDACK4B/s640/DSC02378.JPG" width="480" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Playtest</b><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i>1898</i>, like all the games in the series, offers three ways to play - a quick Basic Combat rules battle with no map, an Advanced Combat rules battle with the tactical map, or campaign scenarios using the strategic theater maps, that may result in tactical battles between ships or fleets.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">For the first time out, I opted for the Basic Combat rules playing the Battle of Manila Bay. My goal was to use the Rules as Written or RAW, as much as possible, and just note any changes I'd make later. I have to say, it was a little disorienting to realize that I didn't even need the tactical map! Said map is hard board in my version of <i>1898</i>, and looks like this:</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kTa4BQEjRk8/WP5yeCzCffI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/H3K9v6sWdzc3QajWkfH8dPAMAU_EksGQACK4B/s1600/20170424_140607%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kTa4BQEjRk8/WP5yeCzCffI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/H3K9v6sWdzc3QajWkfH8dPAMAU_EksGQACK4B/s640/20170424_140607%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The players sit at right and left, each having the necessary tables facing them to resolve torpedo damage rolls, gunnery damage rolls, and critical damage rolls. The entire playing area - the BIG hex - equals one strategic map square&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">[each map square being 32 miles, or 64,000 yards at 2,000 yards per nautical mile]</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">. Each small hex is 8,000 yards [4 nautical miles] and the bix HEX playing area is notionally 8 hexes wide, not counting the center hex.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Anyway, the tables were still useful, so I layed the ships out on it above the three tables, moving them around as needed to help me remember which ships was firing where, etc. The big ship counters are for bigger ships, the small counters are for smaller ships.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fb8y0_Uvfzk/WP5yhmcQyHI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/5eDeSlCRZP8vJTp7tH8qsdmHt8pDGuWtQCK4B/s1600/20170424_135120.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fb8y0_Uvfzk/WP5yhmcQyHI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/5eDeSlCRZP8vJTp7tH8qsdmHt8pDGuWtQCK4B/s640/20170424_135120.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The game is easily played with a <b>single line of data per ship</b>. The information is Victory Points, Ram bow, Primary / Secondary / Tertiary guns, Torpedoes, Move rate, hull boxes, and fuel available [only needed for the strategic map movement in an operational scenario]. I spent a few minutes copying out of the pamphlet and putting it into WORD for easy use:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gFrJzOjWdWI/WP5yYe2hAmI/AAAAAAAAAQs/YFHLCE8B6pYPzUOwaOUSi12_nlOwvM79ACK4B/s1600/20170424_135129.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gFrJzOjWdWI/WP5yYe2hAmI/AAAAAAAAAQs/YFHLCE8B6pYPzUOwaOUSi12_nlOwvM79ACK4B/s640/20170424_135129.jpg" width="384" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">In the <b>Basic Combat system</b>, the most important aspect is Range, which is always Long or Short . Primary and Secondary Batteries fire at both Ranges, while Torpedoes and Tertiary batteries can only fire at Short [<i>it was unclear if torpedoes were resolved at 0 or 1 hex range, for which there are different modifiers, but I interpreted it to mean 0 for playtest - in the future, I'll make a couple decisions on it and adjust accordingly</i>]. Ergo, fleets with an advantage in P or S batteries want to keep the range Long, while those with an advantage in Torpedoes or T batteries want to get into Short Range.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Combat </b>always starts at Long Range. If both players want to close into Short Range, it happens automatically. If only one wants to, the faster fleet decides the Range. If their speeds are the same, then there's a roll-off with D6, the winner deciding. <i>Obviously, lots of opportunities to modify the dice roll with various historical and technical factors, etc.</i>&nbsp;And if the fleets are at Short Range, and both players want to open to Long Range, it happens automatically. If only one does, then they dice off. If the Range opens at Long Range, the fleets disengage, breaking contact, and the battle ends.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This is a simple, effective mechanism to present the key issue of most naval engagements - <b>speed decides if there's a fight</b>, and often who, when, where and often how. This isn't true of land warfare, or at least not as clearly as in naval warfare. There's a large advantage to being faster than your enemy in naval warfare - you decide if you will fight, or not.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Once the Range has been decided for this Combat Round, the Spanish player announces and resolves all his attacks, followed by the US player. Ships may attack any other ship. <i>Ships do not seem to be able to divide their attacks, whether various batteries or torpedoes.</i> Each factor of battery type has a d6 rolled, and there's a hit on a '6'. Two d6 are then rolled for each hit on the Gunnery Damage Table.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There are few modifiers but they matter, like the +1 for Short Range which doubles the chance of Tertiary Batteries getting a hit [a 5-6 instead of just a 6]:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4C2zb9sxCA/WP6btSWjmPI/AAAAAAAAASE/9EWBdOEzEI855PPEIbJOOWTZpGZM0fjtQCK4B/s1600/DSC02374.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4C2zb9sxCA/WP6btSWjmPI/AAAAAAAAASE/9EWBdOEzEI855PPEIbJOOWTZpGZM0fjtQCK4B/s640/DSC02374.JPG" width="480" /></a>&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Torpedoes are fired using the Advanced rules, only, even in the Basic Combat rules.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There are simple Night Action rules [-1 to gunnery dice rolls, no Long Range gunnery, either fleet may attempt to close to Short Range, I guess even if one is faster]. Obviously missing, but included in the Advanced Combat rules is armor and armor penetration.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There's lots of possibilities for a little bit of elaboration here: dicing off to see who designates their fire first, modifying the roll to establish Range, penalizing shooting if more than one ship fires at another ship, etc. One can steal some favorite rules from the Advanced Combat section, or take them from history.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">In any event, time to review what happened with my re-fight of Manila Bay, using the Basic Combat rules. I had to play this three times to get a result that wasn't determined by my messing up the rules [i.e. forgetting to use torpedoes, at all!], but they were all about 5-6 rounds of Combat and 30-45 minutes.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Fleet Comparisons.</b> Altho the Spanish have 8-7 in ships, their ships are markedly inferior, much of the inbalance coming from the U.S.S. Olympia, which is worth as much as the other two us big ships together! The U.S. fleet has a substantial margin here, of about 18-10 batteries, and 39 to 29 Victory Points. Most importantly, the U.S. fleet has 7-2 Secondary Battery factors, and these are the only ones that can be used at Long Range [except for Primary Batteries of course, but neither side has them!]. Thus it is definitely to the advantage of the U.S. player to stay at long range. While the Spanish have a LOT more torpedo factors, most are hull mounted and useless against small ships like these.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Round 1, Long Range</b>. Spanish miss, US knocks out a Hull on the Reina Cristina.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Round 2, Short Range</b> [Spanish win roll-off - <i>if the Range is Short, the Spanish won, if they lost the range is Long</i>]. Their torpedoes miss, but they trash all the Secondary guns on the Olympia! The return fire from the Olympia and Raleigh sinks the Isla de Luzon, and the rest of the US fleet sinks the Isla de Cuba. This sinks the Spanish ships with torpedoes.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Round 3, Long Range</b>. Spanish miss, US sinks Castilla [<i>half the Spanish Long Range batteries are now gone, and they've no usable torpedoes, either</i>].</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Round 4, Long Range.</b> Only Hit knocks out the Secondary battery on Reina Cristina.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Round 5, Short Range.</b> Spanish miss all 4d6. US sinks Don Juan de Austria, hits General Lezo but it has no effect as the damage was against the torpedoes - Lezo has none.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Round 6, Short Range. </b>Spanish miss Concord. US sinks Lezo and Velasco's only battery, a Tertiary, is destroyed. With only a couple ships and batteries intact, against nearly the entire US fleet, the Spanish have to concede.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Well, it just goes to show, that 2-1 odds doesn't result in 2-1 damage in naval wars, it results in a massacree. The huge disparity in Secondary Batteries means that the US fleet will try to keep distance, hammering the Spanish every turn. Overall, an historical result, so one can't complain. It should be noted that most of the US fleet was faster, also. If they left a few ships behind, they still could've sunk the Spanish fleet, and would've been able to consistently choose the battle on their terms, minimizing losses to nearly nothing but a long-odds critical hit.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I really liked the feel of the game! Despite there being no table maneuvering, the key issue of range was handled in an interesting way, and each side preferred one Range over the other. Overall, the Spanish really need some help here, more torpedoes, shore batteries, anything! If nothing else, a flotilla of torpedo boats would've made it more interesting for the Spanish player. Still, the game was engaging and had good feel.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Last thoughts. </b>There's huge potential here in this game and system. While it'll take some time and effort to convert it into a tabletop game, I think the cheap price of the War Times Journal 1/3000 plastics are beckoning me in the near future! I still have to try this with the Advanced Combat System, and then the operational campaign rules. Also, with WWI fleets, just to see how they play out. These will add Primary batteries, lots of ships, and a bunch of small craft. I'm looking forward to more games, and more interesting refights of history and "what-ifs"! I can highly recommend this series as a great place to start naval gaming. I can only imagined how easy it is to do carrier operations and such with this system compared to so many others!</span><br /><br />Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-68190249578808263462017-04-22T13:31:00.002-07:002017-04-22T13:34:08.780-07:00Storing 1/2400 ships<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I saw a post on this at TMP&nbsp;<a href="http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=450514" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">HERE</span></a>&nbsp;and thought that this might be a useful answer for some people. After all this is really cheap and so far, it works. All you need is masking or painter's tape, cheap little plastic storage boxes that protect the top [if you've masts] and well, that's it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Small desk storage drawer unit. I think someone gave it to me for free or I scavenged it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lqew3xI0alE/WPu7SQcwl8I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/cQ00xSIGKuQ-sa3UjEmLwEF_8Vo6Vdd4QCK4B/s1600/DSC02365.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lqew3xI0alE/WPu7SQcwl8I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/cQ00xSIGKuQ-sa3UjEmLwEF_8Vo6Vdd4QCK4B/s640/DSC02365.JPG" width="481" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ships preparing for paint, mounted on popsicle sticks at the moment. You can see the masking tape under the ships to left. The numbers are the Panzerschiffe ship code.</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vLa5Zns1clg/WPu6jd7frJI/AAAAAAAAAPk/jyThc7cYdGAx3f1Dne4ki21T4lsS38VFACK4B/s1600/DSC02361.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vLa5Zns1clg/WPu6jd7frJI/AAAAAAAAAPk/jyThc7cYdGAx3f1Dne4ki21T4lsS38VFACK4B/s400/DSC02361.JPG" width="400" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here, I'm holding the drawer upside-down for the pic. You can see how little tape is needed. You can also see that ship labels are immediately obvious through the clear plastic.</span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x45bKdfBYEk/WPu6juDA7YI/AAAAAAAAAQE/l8UOm-1gFn8Ok56dIS6-IDCZhVQ4O01ygCK4B/s1600/DSC02360.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x45bKdfBYEk/WPu6juDA7YI/AAAAAAAAAQE/l8UOm-1gFn8Ok56dIS6-IDCZhVQ4O01ygCK4B/s400/DSC02360.JPG" width="400" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They can also just sit in the drawers loose - if they were going somewhere or had masts on them, I'd just use lightly crumpled plastic grocery bags to gently keep them in place. These are resin Panzerschiffe, and they aren't very delicate!</span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fE28h5EfCp0/WPu6jnBktcI/AAAAAAAAAQA/oBXXqv4pi387nLAj9E4ciB1uTiOBjK8DgCK4B/s1600/DSC02364.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fE28h5EfCp0/WPu6jnBktcI/AAAAAAAAAQA/oBXXqv4pi387nLAj9E4ciB1uTiOBjK8DgCK4B/s400/DSC02364.JPG" width="400" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F6CKqPePy-Y/WPu6jhtImqI/AAAAAAAAAP0/lz31HMiMozcDfyhdEzbiEWuopP38F-lzACK4B/s1600/DSC02363.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F6CKqPePy-Y/WPu6jhtImqI/AAAAAAAAAP0/lz31HMiMozcDfyhdEzbiEWuopP38F-lzACK4B/s400/DSC02363.JPG" width="400" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's about it. Overall, I prefer to spend my money on game stuff, not storage!</span>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-73147419495604766192017-04-22T08:18:00.001-07:002018-05-15T17:08:12.759-07:00Brian DeWitt Naval Rules<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><i>"Czarist navy crosses globe, docks at sea bottom - news at 11!"</i></b></span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m34uG90jVEk/WPt2SSgXWEI/AAAAAAAAAPE/bh49FM0F_WgPMiS5zudEVg4iO_VGqhU6wCK4B/s1600/20170422_112548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m34uG90jVEk/WPt2SSgXWEI/AAAAAAAAAPE/bh49FM0F_WgPMiS5zudEVg4iO_VGqhU6wCK4B/s640/20170422_112548.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I did manage to reach Brian DeWitt, in a roundabout way through North Virginia Gamers, aka&nbsp;<a href="http://www.novag.org/regional-clubs.html"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">NOVAG</span></a>&nbsp;where he's a Board Member. Through polite correspondence, we had the following interview, somewhat edited for clarity.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">*********************************</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Glad to hear you enjoyed the Pre-Dreadnought rules. There's no website for them.&nbsp; I started selling them only by word of mouth because I had a lot of people asking for them.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />Almost all the ship data is based on </i>Seakrieg 4th<i> ship data (simplified&nbsp;however). The ship images are mostly from <a href="http://www.janes.com/"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">Janes Ships</span></a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.the-blueprints.com/blueprints/ships/"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">Ship Blueprints</span></a>&nbsp;webpage.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I sell the latest version of the rules and scenarios on a CD for $5.&nbsp; I bring them to the HMGS conventions. There are 5 different sets:</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">A sailing ship set "Form on the Admirals Wake", Spanish&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">American, Russo-Japanese, WWI and WWII.&nbsp;</span></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I can email the files if you do not attend the conventions and accept Paypal at my juno.com email address:&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>brian.dewitt AT [etc]&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I make a lot of different games.&nbsp; I emphasize playability as the most&nbsp;important factor but try and capture as much historical accuracy I can while&nbsp;maintaining the extremely high playability.&nbsp; This is accomplished by using&nbsp;creative game mechanics and simple rules.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I enjoyed the article by Neil Thomas on "Simplicity in Practice" you sent me.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">****************************</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My club has enjoyed the Russo-Japanese set, called "When Dreadnoughts Ruled the Seas" which we play in 1/3000 on a 6x12' table. That being said, the actual engagement space was only about 6x4', so I think one can easily play out the approach moves - and play them faster - on paper.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Altho the host said that they are more for fun and a "beer'n pretzel" set, I wouldn't say that is exactly true. I just think that he presents and plays them that way.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Adding in weather and a few more decision points, and perhaps a bit of morale, and they'd gain significant depth.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I can heartily recommend the pre-dreadnought set, at the very least, which I've now played 3 times in a large Russo-Japanese fleet context, and found it worked just fine. Most of the added complexity that would make it richer can just be scenario rules from an historical battle, anyway.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For further information, contact Brian!</span>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-27801392349747894532017-04-14T19:26:00.003-07:002017-04-15T17:22:13.611-07:00Three Modern Naval Rule Sets: impressions and overviews<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I've three commercial sets of rules, all of which I think have merit, and over which I've been giving a lot of thought as to how to proceed with gaming some of my interests in the near future.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>1. Naval Thunder: Clash of Dreadnoughts [WWI] &amp; Battleship Row [WWII]</b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">both are <span style="background-color: white;">from&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.navalthunder.com/" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">Steel Dreadnought Games</span></a></span><br /><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>2. Great War at Sea</b> -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.avalanchepress.com/line_GWAS.php" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">Avalanche Press WWI</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Second World War at Sea</b> -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.avalanchepress.com/line_WWIISea.php" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">Avalanche Press WWII</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>3. General Quarters 3 [WWII] &amp;&nbsp;</b><b>Fleet Action Imminent [WWI]</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">both are from&nbsp;<a href="http://www.odgw.com/forums/index.php?/store/category/3-general-quarters-iii" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">Old Dominion Game Works Naval</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Some first thoughts, for those of you new to modern Naval Gaming:</span><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Naval Warfare is highly technological - think WWII but ONLY tanks!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This means that "historical" in context means totally respecting the differences in ships and gear that MAKE the tactics, or at least force them.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">It's really time-consuming and a labor of love to plow through all the details and math...let someone else with lots of time do it for you!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Naval warfare is no more "line them up and blow stuff up" than any other type of wargaming is, or at least should be. However, it does have unique characteristics.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Interestingly, Space Warfare is basically naval wargaming. Some more or less realistic than others. However, since it is a "notional" [military term] or "speculative" [literary term] world / universe, it is extremely important that the sci-fi universe closely copy the friction of technology prevalent in real naval wargaming, or it's just dull!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">ALL naval wargaming [and space warfare] is inherently strategic in nature, but not all land wargaming is.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There is terrain in naval gaming but not all of it is land! There's also minefields, submarines and motor torpedo boats [all of which function to deprive admirals of movement, just like generals], but most especially there is weather!</span></li></ol><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So my warning is...don't think you can throw together a set of good naval wargame rules by yourself. It's a genre that really needs you to spend time in it. So commercial rules are - for most of us - far more essential than any land warfare period. The only related genre I think would be airplane combat, again, almost entirely dependent on technological differences to provide friction that makes for an interesting game, and what I don't know about flying and weather...well, it could sink a battleship!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So if you line up your armies of whatever period on a nearly empty table, slaughter away and then say it is dull, repetitive or lacks tactical finesse, that's the same thing as putting the fleets on the table without land, weather or other menaces to big ships, and then saying it is nothing but a dull exercise in gunnery - it may well be, but whose fault is it, anyway??</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">All this to say that if you love tanks, and wish the infantry would just go away, you will probably love naval gaming!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><u><b>Impressions and overview of the rules.</b></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>The Naval Thunder series</b> has certainly made quite the impression. Many say that it has put the fun back into naval gaming. It is cleanly written, with traditional mechanisms and easily "felt" mechanics that run along the "shoot, hit, penetrate armor, do damage, hope for critical" that many gamers love about naval warfare. It keeps all the additional stuff in the optional rules, from smoke to crew quality. The rules are easy to understand and altho the style is conversational it's not very distracting. That said, I personally prefer when the rule itself, that I actually need to play, is separated by bullet points or italics or something, and is easily found apart from the conversation and explanation.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Our first foray into it was a reply of the battle of Komandorsky Islands. It was pretty quick to pick up, but our use of the special rule for smoke exposed that some of the straightforwardness and simplicity that leaves the rules accessible and likable is at the expense of nuance and friction that can make some scenarios unplayable. In our battle, I quickly realized that I could use my destroyers to lay smoke and by turning at the end of the move hard back behind their own smoke, prevent even my own destroyers laying the smoke from being fired upon. While I'm sure that could have been done, it was awful easy to figure out and do, and rendered the IJN completely impotent, which it wasn't in the real battle. We needed a good hard wind, and some mechanism to prevent my ships from doing - exactly - what I wanted them to do.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">While I think that it can certainly be dealt with using the odd special or scenario rule, and also that these rules are easy to tweak due to their simplicity, I have a problem with a basic mechanism being a "trump card" in any player's pocket.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">All the rules in the series have excellent listings of ships and other info needed to play the game, as well as point values to help balance scenarios. I give these rules a solid "B" for their ability to make anyone a fan of naval gaming.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>The&nbsp;</b></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Avalanche Press series</b> has been a huge presence for many many years in the boardgaming industry. The series is huge, with 30-40 games and supplements in the two naval lines, not all of which are in print but most of which are available in the after market industry. All the core games come in boxes with lovely maps showing a strategic theater of operations and a tactical map upon which to fight out actions in more detail. They also come with basic and advanced tactical ship fighting rules, and thorough advanced rules from minelaying to airships to flotillas to submarines...you name it!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Game play resolved - very realistically - with fleets being given missions for which they then plot out their movement. Sometimes they have to plot out their entire foray at sea including the return to port! This strategic mission gives players a larger context in which to put their tactical fighting, and REALLY enhances the experience. The fleets then act out their movements, and when they get close enough have a chance to encounter one another and switch to the tactical map to blast away.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I have to admit I have not yet tried out these rules, nor followed through on plans to adapt them to tabletop miniature gaming. However, I am _slavering_ to do so! At the moment, I've 1898 [a pre-dreadnought game about the Spanish-American naval war], a few of the Jutland series games [WWI] and one WWII game, "Strike South". All look very manageable and are virtually an education in naval wargaming at all levels.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I have a lot of confidence in these rules due to their longevity, the thousands and thousands of copies sold, the clarity of the writing, the presentation of both the big strategic picture and a manageable presentation of the tactical fighting, and the breadth of situational rules that enhance the gaming experience. All the ships have detailed logs, as well as lovely top-down-view counters of the ships [altho they all show the ships to be the same length on the counter, from BB to CL, sort of a Wizards of the Coast scale problem]. The typical boxed game has hundreds of ships and their info handy on the counter and on sheets.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">[</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">EDIT: this means you can wait on getting and painting up ship miniatures; the counters will not only do just fine but have all the info you need most printed right on them - they are 1"x1/2" for capital ships, and 1/2"x1/2" for small ships, however, this has to be balanced against the cost of these lovely games, which can go from $50-100 for a box, and $20-50 for book or bag presentation].</span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I'm giving these a solid "A-" for the full presentation of naval warfare in a manageable fashion, if without the tactical nuance that some players love. Most of the -minus- has to do with the cost - you can easily get several of the more playable naval games for $10-15, and if you go 1/4800 or 1/6000 escape for under $50 depending on the size of your fleets. OTOH, miniature naval rules usually don't have the tremendous breadth of a game like "Jutland" which has like 60 scenarios, every capital ship represented, and covers the English Channel to the Baltic.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Finally, near and dear to my heart, and played many, many times, is <b>the "General Quarters 3" WWII game, and its companion "Fleet Action Imminent"</b>. Not for the faint of heart, yet not overwhelming in detail, this game really is an education in tactical naval fighting. You will learn all you gear, and you will learn it well, or you cannot hope to win a naval action in this game except through the errors of your opponents and the random favor of the dice. This was the game my pal offered after our speedbump with Naval Thunder: Battleship Row. I thought he was nuts! However, he really really really wanted to try it, so I gave it a real effort, and read the rules. Eventually, I found myself sucked in, sort of like reading a well-written astronomical treatise...you think it won't be interesting, or that it will be overwhelming, but eventually you find yourself devoting more and more time on it, and it is actually worth the time!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I was hooked, altho, interestingly, my pal moved on. I then read the rules a few more times, GM'd more games, read a lot of memoirs and decided that Guadalcanal was the perfect, ferocious naval encounter of the modern era. Rarely have so many expensive ships been so harshly used by so many admirals in such a short period of time! It's sort of like fighting about 7-8 battles of the Nile with a few Trafalgars thrown in. It's genuinely horrifying to watch destroyers clash with cruisers and battleships at point blank range, and to realize that you are now so close that you cannot evade a mildly competent torpedo attack.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I eventually settled on running 1/700 destroyer encounters I entitled "DDD - Deadly Destroyer Destruction" or something. I gave each player one ship, organized their squadrons historically, and gave each team three options for the approach, at night, into the "sea of battle". This meant there were nine possibilities in a scenario, so I could re-use them any time. Gamers loved it, and this has been my most-requested game to host.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The downside is that I never really convinced anyone else to read the rules. This meant I slowly became hoarse as we played a 4-5 hour game and I explained the detailed rule QRS and even the cheat sheets I made to speed things along. Even the ship diagrams and gunnery chart required some effort to understand. Once you got onto them, you realized how well they were thought out and play went pretty smoothly. Occasional oopsies on the GMs part were taken with good [enough] grace and we got through with quite a lot of fun.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Overall, these are the best set of manageable rules for tactical naval fights. I think they are a bit much for more than 1-2 ships a player, and even then I "slaved" the second ship behind the other one so that it was a mindless drone, giving the player the chance to keep playing even if one ship was lost.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">We fought Savo Island, Cape Esperance, 2-3 Solomon Seas, and Kolombangara multiple times. Having invested many hours [and dollars] preparing the charts and QRS packets in color, I found it made a lot of sense to repeat most of the battles several times, perhaps with a little twist here and there, all based upon historical options. For some more details:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://redinthemorning.blogspot.com/2014/08/savo-island-other-day-that-will-live-in.html" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Savo Island AAR</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><a href="http://redinthemorning.blogspot.com/2014/09/remember-remember-13-november-part-1.html" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">Remember the 13th November!</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Neither of which has pics of the actual ships on table, altho there are maps and other tools I use to throw the game. My excuse is that I still had a flip-fone, and kept forgetting to bring my digital camera with me. Mea culpa! My blogging has gotten a lot more colorful, but naval gamers aren't quite as interested in flashy looks as long as the charts are detailed, so maybe it's ok anyway.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There are a few campaign supplements for GQ3 / FAI. "Sudden Storm" is a speculative naval campaign for a 1937 naval confrontation between the US and Japan. Ergo it is more Battle line o' Battleships oriented. "The Solomon's Campaign" is a campaign for actions around Guadalcanal, using a decision-tree approach with minimal book keeping that brings battles into Ironbottom Sound, with the land and carrier actions abstracted. "North Sea Campaign" is the famous naval situation between Germany and Britain in the North Sea during WWI. It uses a strategic decision model, the same decision-tree approach and a mapless search method. Both the latter are by the same author, Nathan Forney, so I assume they are quite similar.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I give these rules an "A+" for tactical fighting, and a "B" for overall picture of naval warfare simply because there are too many trees for players to see the woods, and, at least in my group, not enough continuous play and players willing to read and digest the rules to fully realize their potential and try out the many interesting advanced rules like air, sub, mines, and more. Thus far, it's been too much! But I'll definitely be running some games of this again, carefully limiting the presentation of a new aspect, like minelaying or air/sub attacks. I think these work well at the 1 player 1 ship level, and the 1/700 ships are a pleasure to look at, as well as do the modeling for. Tamiya especially has a number of options, and I encourage players to look into the modeling forums to buy them used from modelers who've given up on building the kit - sometimes you can by kits for 10% of retail if you buy in bulk.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I hope this evaluation of the rules is useful, and leads you to look into them more.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">As for me, I think I am needed something that plays fast and easy, yet has a lot of the big picture readily available. For the moment, that means I'm going to be trying out Avalanche Press as a boardgame, with thoughts on how to put it on the table along the way. For WWI especially, I am eager to have big clashes between 12-20 capital ships a side, and each player controlling a squadron of about 4 ships. This means that it has to be relatively easy to fight at a tactical level so that enhanced aspects like command, formations, terrain and such are all able to be easily delved into.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This means that, much like the <a href="http://redinthemorning.blogspot.com/search?q=starfire"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Starfire II games</span></a>&nbsp;I've played and shown here, you'll be seeing some boardgame batreps. However, I'll still work on presenting the games to my son, so the One-Hour Wargames: Modern Naval will continue its merry development!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I still may run a 1 player 1 ship game or two of WWI or WWII using GQ3, it just depends on how time and audience works out. Rest assured, this time you'll have plenty of pics as I do have a smartfone now!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I plan to follow up with some demos and AARs with the rules as I experiment a bit with them.</span></div>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-56393925318127406552017-04-13T11:37:00.002-07:002018-05-15T17:08:12.748-07:00Naval Gaming w' Admiral Winkie<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Somewhere in the S. Pacific,&nbsp;</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>the fighting's been real terrific!</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An opportunity that more resilient models - often plastics but some metal figs and ships also - provide is to permit us to play with children who are still working on their fine motor skills. It often seems that they practice them by dropping small, valuable objects and then picking them up, only to drop them again! This is not to be confused by ham-handed, sausage-fingered gamers who squash things because they've too much mass in their extremities. <i>That often sounds like this, "oh wow look at that...oops, sorry" as flag / mast / sword breaks off...*Sigh*.&nbsp;</i></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In any event, when my 7yo son found the resin 1/2400 Panzerschiffe WWII ships I was sorting, he immediately asked if he could play with them. I thought - why not?&nbsp;</span>The painted ones have been through the miracle dip, and are very resilient. The unpainted ones are either primed in shades of gray or still in the raw resin color. Unless he physically smashed them against each other and breaks a smokestack, they probably can't be damaged. So we had a quick talk about respecting the models, and I took them downstairs to the formal dining table we only occasionally use. It's about 3'x4.5', and plenty smooth.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I considered what to do, I decided this was a great opportunity to start developing a "One-Hour Wargames" naval game. I'd never tried one this simple - the rules had to be easily perceived to someone who knows nothing about naval gaming, yet at least generally respect realities of naval warfare. I also wanted to begin teaching ADM Winkie basic naval tactics and give him an opportunity to use some math - at school he's just going into multiplication and division. All that being said, here's what I came up with in the ten minutes I took to bring everything downstairs:</span><br /><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ships</b>. There are three types: BB=Big, CA=Medium, DD=Small.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Speeds</b>. Big, Medium and support ships=3"a turn, Small 6"a turn.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turns</b>. Up to 90, rotating on the center.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gun dice</b>. Each uses relatively sized dice: Big [d20], Medium [d10] and Small [d6].</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hits</b>. Guns hit at 50%, or 11+, 6+ and 4+ respectively, inflict one damage point.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fire Arcs</b>.&nbsp;All ships shoot with 2 dice, one Fore and one Aft, both to Port / Starboard side. Arcs are&nbsp;<i>roughly&nbsp;</i>45 degrees off the four sides.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Range</b>. Big guns shoot out to 36" at -2 [so 13+], Big and Medium out to 24" at -1 [so 12+ or 7+], Big, Medium and Small guns shoot at 12" with no modifiers.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Torpedoes</b>. Only DD carry, range is 6", hit on 4+, damage is two Points.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Damage</b>. A warship can take two points of damage, a support ship one point. At two points they sink. At one point, they're marked with a red "Fire" marker; at the beginning of the turn, they can "put out the Fire" by rolling 50%. <i>So it pays to keep at a ship until it takes its two Damage and sinks.</i></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turn Order</b>. Damage Control [both], Move - US then IJN, Simultaneous Gunnery.</span></li></ol><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Fleets assembled.</b> One BB, four CA, 3 or 4 DD a side, with their dice next to them.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b32hPY1LwX8/WOmYldrhnrI/AAAAAAAAAOM/ZrBGiAwBStgJIR8BokUZaydZpViYaH0jwCK4B/s1600/DSC02338.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b32hPY1LwX8/WOmYldrhnrI/AAAAAAAAAOM/ZrBGiAwBStgJIR8BokUZaydZpViYaH0jwCK4B/s640/DSC02338.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Below</b>, Japanese fleet. Kongo BB, four CA, three DD.</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EyP-utTNUzo/WOmSHVApXWI/AAAAAAAAANk/41I7KHb7POgyzAPEeyd4gaPKP38717RHQCK4B/s1600/DSC02341.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EyP-utTNUzo/WOmSHVApXWI/AAAAAAAAANk/41I7KHb7POgyzAPEeyd4gaPKP38717RHQCK4B/s640/DSC02341.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Below </b>US fleet: BB Washington, four CA, four DD.</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CoOddj_vP7s/WOmSHie14bI/AAAAAAAAANw/CXYChQV0dHIbvofAeJEJl2ABiCOhs-WXgCK4B/s1600/DSC02342.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CoOddj_vP7s/WOmSHie14bI/AAAAAAAAANw/CXYChQV0dHIbvofAeJEJl2ABiCOhs-WXgCK4B/s640/DSC02342.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Admiral Winkie, the first CinCPACFLT with a retainer, showing his positive attitude.&nbsp;</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ-dvWXLdec/WOmSFKUiGkI/AAAAAAAAAME/MaDAjRPu6doAXTOwHSx3KT6aKGENTgNXQCK4B/s1600/DSC02340.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ-dvWXLdec/WOmSFKUiGkI/AAAAAAAAAME/MaDAjRPu6doAXTOwHSx3KT6aKGENTgNXQCK4B/s640/DSC02340.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gun ranges</b>: 36" for BB, 24" for CA, 12" for DD. ADM Winkie has lunch.</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8RLH-GG0C5M/WOmSHpfCmUI/AAAAAAAAAN0/vOKFzCYDJQI5ZyGadNvVbIqT0P0GeKHJQCK4B/s1600/DSC02345.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8RLH-GG0C5M/WOmSHpfCmUI/AAAAAAAAAN0/vOKFzCYDJQI5ZyGadNvVbIqT0P0GeKHJQCK4B/s640/DSC02345.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Table &amp; Mission.</b> Japanese have fleet oiler, cargo ship and transport at harbor. US will enter top left and attempt to destroy more IJN ships than loses. The IJN wants to cross the table with support ships [towards the outlet] and use its screen and reinforcements to hold off the USN and / or inflict more damage than received.</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cOuYLdGdo7Q/WOmSFk5s55I/AAAAAAAAAMU/RPMWt6_yd3wvysxd_kuC6HZQA7v5qwomwCK4B/s1600/DSC02344.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cOuYLdGdo7Q/WOmSFk5s55I/AAAAAAAAAMU/RPMWt6_yd3wvysxd_kuC6HZQA7v5qwomwCK4B/s640/DSC02344.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Close-up of IJN anchorage. </b>Panzerschiffe IJN Fleet Oiler [top], US LST [middle] and IJN Maru transport / cargo ship at bottom. On left, three DD and two CA also at anchor, but planning to weigh anchor turn 1 with support ships. At far left, entering at the table corner as shown on turn 5, the BB and two CA [delayed entry as part of LtWW plan].</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9NTkjbuinEc/WO-bPLQaj5I/AAAAAAAAAOc/GSCA19IAKp8YMyRgWzKb0qS-3ENCusScQCK4B/s1600/20170413_113241.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9NTkjbuinEc/WO-bPLQaj5I/AAAAAAAAAOc/GSCA19IAKp8YMyRgWzKb0qS-3ENCusScQCK4B/s640/20170413_113241.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>US fleet set-up and Turn 1.</b> I just had them set up at table edge, preceded by the DDs. ADM Winkie is moving his big ships up 3" each. The DDs darted ahead a full 6".</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m4OX_YOjDTI/WOmSGGQ4luI/AAAAAAAAAMk/MLf0DaGNU00k8kAeaOMgRJUZ7WMS9N7GACK4B/s1600/DSC02346.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m4OX_YOjDTI/WOmSGGQ4luI/AAAAAAAAAMk/MLf0DaGNU00k8kAeaOMgRJUZ7WMS9N7GACK4B/s640/DSC02346.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turns 2-4.</b> IJN fleet exits harbor and advances on USN. This does slow the USN a bit as they turn the DD and BB to starboard to unmask their full broadsides. This still has them angling towards the IJN support ships exit point, however and the transports [far left] are slow. The CA are heading straight on, however, to close the gap. The DD accordingly suffer plenty of casualties, with all IJN and half the USN DD sunk, one USN DD on Fire. The IJN have also lost a CA to the BB's 36" gunnery. So far, typical naval game results except that it's only taken about 10-15 minutes and we're having fun - especially ADM Winkie!</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ldsyW5Pt69U/WOmSG63XewI/AAAAAAAAAM8/huRnhIdsRBowScIhx2LiNlaxVRLMnpgbgCK4B/s1600/DSC02348.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ldsyW5Pt69U/WOmSG63XewI/AAAAAAAAAM8/huRnhIdsRBowScIhx2LiNlaxVRLMnpgbgCK4B/s640/DSC02348.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ADM Winkie, confident of victory, gives the "V" sign.</span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zWkziSoFv_E/WOmSGN9RZgI/AAAAAAAAAMc/nEAECD0O_CMi2a0Qhif7VDPQQ2uug_aigCK4B/s1600/DSC02347.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zWkziSoFv_E/WOmSGN9RZgI/AAAAAAAAAMc/nEAECD0O_CMi2a0Qhif7VDPQQ2uug_aigCK4B/s640/DSC02347.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turn 5.</b> IJN reinforcements enter, IJN CA steaming past sinking CA. <i>Note top USN DD with red Fire marker - this is the ship of the game!</i>&nbsp;The closer USN DD with Fire has sunk after taking more hits from the surviving IJN CA. Support ships plod along.</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YRVQdPFS-wc/WOmSHFs_UeI/AAAAAAAAANY/pPvW1lONcKINdCbGF-DyP7UrIo80IWtiQCK4B/s1600/DSC02349.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YRVQdPFS-wc/WOmSHFs_UeI/AAAAAAAAANY/pPvW1lONcKINdCbGF-DyP7UrIo80IWtiQCK4B/s640/DSC02349.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turn 6.</b> US CA sinks nearer IJN CA. US BB sinks IJN support ship. USN DD still has fire going, but IJN BB totally missed, the shells landing in another lattitude [the dice didn't even add up to 13]. The white puff just shows a near-miss. This made ADM Winkie feel better.</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu4qLJc4uvI/WOmSGSNGxdI/AAAAAAAAAM0/BfxajKXm00AON9HyVvdOX_18p3zwjX-EgCK4B/s1600/DSC02350.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu4qLJc4uvI/WOmSGSNGxdI/AAAAAAAAAM0/BfxajKXm00AON9HyVvdOX_18p3zwjX-EgCK4B/s640/DSC02350.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turn 7.</b> Fleets continue to close. USN BB sinks another support ship. Off-camera at top is the last USN DD, on fire, still closing at full speed.</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zs16MnA4pR4/WOmSHOVWJGI/AAAAAAAAANc/clU-7BSEo_8hQfZLaN4UD4OEPCVqrTCuQCK4B/s1600/DSC02351.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zs16MnA4pR4/WOmSHOVWJGI/AAAAAAAAANc/clU-7BSEo_8hQfZLaN4UD4OEPCVqrTCuQCK4B/s640/DSC02351.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turn 8.</b> ADM Winkie puts out the Fire on his last DD [rolls a 4, pictured at top]. IJN gunnery at said DD continues to be pathetic - perhaps the burning oil is obscuring splashes? Third support ship steams on. IJN do manage to sink one USN CA and Damage another.</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyZDoCD44s4/WOmSG6DlE_I/AAAAAAAAANE/_tuDzB0DVqYzqg3aCS2kEtgfCNBtUEyxACK4B/s1600/DSC02352.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyZDoCD44s4/WOmSG6DlE_I/AAAAAAAAANE/_tuDzB0DVqYzqg3aCS2kEtgfCNBtUEyxACK4B/s640/DSC02352.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turn 8.</b> Fearless USN DD takes on two CA and a BB! It&nbsp;</span>misses with guns and torpedoes, causing ADM Winkie to get pretty upset [a conversation about the random nature of dice is in order - I think he feels he just didn't roll it "right", a topic for older gamers, also].&nbsp;<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BL8mH3qOPiI/WOmSGW6qqwI/AAAAAAAAAMs/Nv2DyF6Q0fEvYBQwdr-n5pnbDlZi11jLACK4B/s1600/DSC02353.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BL8mH3qOPiI/WOmSGW6qqwI/AAAAAAAAAMs/Nv2DyF6Q0fEvYBQwdr-n5pnbDlZi11jLACK4B/s640/DSC02353.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turn 9. </b>US DD continues to close, torpedoes IJN CA sinking it. USN gunnery sinks CA but the maru transport steams on against the blocking DD. IJN gunnery is all misses.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jaz8-oDfiMg/WOmSHDWYtDI/AAAAAAAAANM/Kx7bZCO4yWEkESf9E-h9CsTO3E_c5CWFACK4B/s1600/DSC02354.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jaz8-oDfiMg/WOmSHDWYtDI/AAAAAAAAANM/Kx7bZCO4yWEkESf9E-h9CsTO3E_c5CWFACK4B/s640/DSC02354.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Turn 10.</b> USN DD turns about, torpedoes IJN BB and sinks it! USN gunnery sinks maru transport. IJN gunnery continues its streak of misses.</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hB2mnkgH2UQ/WOmSEIxwbPI/AAAAAAAAAL8/q-fUepsw6GgmhjV1fae-HcxZQVwE-SC4QCK4B/s1600/DSC02355.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hB2mnkgH2UQ/WOmSEIxwbPI/AAAAAAAAAL8/q-fUepsw6GgmhjV1fae-HcxZQVwE-SC4QCK4B/s640/DSC02355.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Final results!</b> IJN lose all 11 ships, USN loses three DD and one CA. Hero of the day is the pictured USN DD, an old Benson sporting Measure 12 modified paint scheme [for '42].</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B06tdqQE85Y/WOmSBmDeqpI/AAAAAAAAAL0/ePjbtDq56xEI-_UUIYC9v3dgPkxtw6r-gCK4B/s1600/DSC02357.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B06tdqQE85Y/WOmSBmDeqpI/AAAAAAAAAL0/ePjbtDq56xEI-_UUIYC9v3dgPkxtw6r-gCK4B/s640/DSC02357.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A tear-free ADM Winkie. We had fun and we used some math.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WthrQ-_q_mo/WOmPakDdVoI/AAAAAAAAALk/JY6tuI7NpZgrhHgioSlN0PQsSDx1YWGMACK4B/s1600/DSC02358.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WthrQ-_q_mo/WOmPakDdVoI/AAAAAAAAALk/JY6tuI7NpZgrhHgioSlN0PQsSDx1YWGMACK4B/s640/DSC02358.JPG" width="481" /></a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Analysis</b>. I'm pleased that one of the old Benson DDs with its veteran crew was the hero of the hour. The general run of the game typifies most naval games, IMHO, with it being largely a gunnery contest, and the smaller ships being picked off early. This was also caused by the range bands. The ships sometimes had no other targets than the DDs. The CA fire hit especially hard.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The use of different sized dice was mostly due to a desire to have penetration rolls next time out. My general thought is to have Penetration be related to dice / ship size. Here, the only effect was to make CA shooting a 7/12 at 24" while the BBs had a 12/20, a 10% advantage.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This reminds me how important it is to have additional factors present in a game. Certainly Armor / Penetration is very important.&nbsp;The speeds are certainly off - big ships don't move half as fast as DDs! Actual speed ratios for WWII warships are more like:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DDs, CLs, and CAs = 30-35 knots</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BBs and CVs = 25-30 knots.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Giving a spread of 25, 30 and 35 knots or ratios of 5 / 6 / 7.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gunnery ranges</b> are pretty good for the table we used [3'x4.5', with eaves pushing it to 7.5' long if needed]. In my copy of GQ3, Big guns are about 18K yards, medium about 12K, and small about 9K. Big and medium guns can go out to about 24K with marginal hit chances. So ranges should perhaps be more like:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">24" = BBs and CAs with 1.3 normal hit chance [about 19-20].</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18" = BBs with normal hit chance [CA at about 9-10]</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12" = CAs with normal hit chance [DD at about 6]</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp; 9" = DDs with normal hit chance.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This use of scale at 1" = 1,000 yards gives table speeds of 2.5", 3" and 3.5" for the ships. Bit of a crawl, really. However, I believe the gunnery fire is figured in 6 minute blocks of time, while movement is in a 3 minute block of time - at least that is what it is in Fleet Action Imminent. If so, I could double speed distances to 5", 6" and 7", all heading into a total 6 minute turn for both gunnery and movement. A check of the GQ3 rules still has a 3 minute / 6 minute design paradigm, but it's not clear that the 2-1 gunnery / movement ratio is present. I'll have to inquire.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fire Arcs </b>in GQ3 are almost at 45 anyway - they have them at 40 degrees, giving a 100 degree broadside instead of 90. I'm not sure this is worth changing.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ship damage.</b> It occurs to me that the hull blocks of GQ3 are in numbers of 6-8 for all ships. This is adjusted by using the equivalent Hits table which multiplies hits by 1, 1.5/2, 3, 4, and 5 depending on the size / armor of the target [in 5 categories] v. the weight of the gun. So a BB big gun that scores one Hit on a DD gets 4-5 Hits, each hit being a roll on the Damage Table. Pretty lethal. This is somewhat ameliorated by the fact that lots of big gun shells just went through the unarmored DDs anyway, not to mention their small size and high speed.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Small Targets</b> -2 for big guns firing at DDs.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Future developments.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One-Hour Wargames is excellent not so much at the simplicity of the rules, but that the 30 scenarios provide tremendous, nuanced play that is carefully derived and set to relate to the measurements of the rules themselves. In other words,&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the turn limit,&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">victory conditions</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">table size</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">terrain type, size and placement</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">are all closely linked together.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For starters, terrain needs to be approached - some initial thoughts...</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Terrain</b>:</span><br /><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Land </b>- blocks Line of Sight and movement.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fog </b>- blocks Line of Sight.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Smoke and Mist</b> - obscure Line of Sight.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Shallows </b>- restricts movement.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Minefields &amp; Submarines</b> - affects movement by attacking ships.</span></li></ol><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, that's my initial foray into a One-Hour Naval game. I hope it encourages you to play with your youth as well as consider what you can do for an hour in your spare time instead of watch the 'tube, You or TV, or otherwise!</span><br /><br />Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-73043071340931357762017-04-07T10:52:00.001-07:002017-04-22T13:54:02.651-07:0010,000 Visits! A Review, Rules Thoughts<b><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">SMS Seydlitz limping along after Jutland...sort of like this blog!</span></b><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img src="http://68.media.tumblr.com/942736860ad9bb2e18e5c4e4063f177c/tumblr_ntcksmaL2R1r94kvzo2_1280.jpg" height="255" width="400" />&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So after a timely start in 2014 - with the 100th anniversary of WWI in the works - there hasn't been a lot of progress with this project. This is a bit disappointing - seems I never manage to make these anniversary events - I'm always too early or too late!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">At least regarding some movement on this project and blog, I'm hoping to change that.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Went to a naval game run at the old club, and it was a sort of player-friendly and fun Russo-Japanese naval game. The rules are "When Dreadnoughts Ruled the Seas" by Brian DeWitt, with some modifications by the host, David Cochran. I am having trouble finding info on the rules, will add later if possible. In any event, it was a surprising victory for the Russkies! It was quite fun, and has me digging out this WWI project again and pondering gaming possibilities.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">So here, I've added a link to the <span style="color: blue;"><u>excellent <a href="http://clashofarms.com/files/surface_torpedo_tactics.pdf" style="color: blue;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;">PD</span><span style="background-color: blue;"><span style="background-color: blue;">F</span> Article</span></span></a>&nbsp;</u></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><u>by Michael Harris</u></span> "Surface Torpedo Tactics: Rules and Reality" which is very visual / powerpoint style, and a great read. It was presented at Cold Wars in 2010 sponsored by Clash of Arms Games.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>One issue</b> is that I'm leaning heavily into fast-play, simpler games these days. It's a bit tough with naval gaming, however, as it is so technical and sometimes I feel like one almost can't do it right without rules that respect the gadgetry. That inevitably means more complex rules harder to explain to a gang of people on a gaming night. That being said, I've never had a problem with people complaining - it is just a lot of work on my part to get people through it. They love the games however and they're the ones most requested from me to run.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This has me perusing my copy of<u> <span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">the wonderful </span><span style="color: white;">&nbsp;<a href="http://www.odgw.com/forums/index.php?/store/category/3-general-quarters-iii"><span style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">"Fleet Action Imminant</span>"</span></a></span><span style="color: red;">&nbsp;[FAI]&nbsp;</span></span></u></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img src="http://www.odgw.com/forums/uploads/packages-0774475001295815605.png" height="640" width="481" /></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;"><u>from <a href="http://www.odgw.com/home.html" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">Old Dominion Game Works</span></a>&nbsp;[ODGW]</u></span> and pondering how to put it in front of people in a simpler fashion. It would mean a fair bit of work both in thinking and planning, as well as making some QRS and ship sheets that are simplified a bit. Comprehending the excellent graphics that are provided by Mr. Gill is one slowing factor in running these games for new or rusty returning players. So far, I've had zero luck trying to convince people to read the rules and show up ready to help one side get through them.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, I dug out my copy of the <span style="color: orange;"><u>WWI version of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.navalthunder.com/"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">Naval Thunder</span></a>&nbsp;by</u></span> Steel Dreadnought Games, titled "Clash of Dreadnoughts"</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img src="http://www.wargamevault.com/images/2624/60607.jpg" height="400" width="309" /></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">These are a simplified, streamlined "beer'n pretzel" approach. I have to admit that I've less confidence in the subtleties of this particular game system but can't say that my lack of confidence is based upon detailed play of both these sets of rules. We played the original WWII rules when they first came out, but immediately ran into a problem with the smoke rules - basically, they were broken, and our play of <span style="color: red;"><u>the&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Komandorski_Islands" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">Battle of Komandorski Islands</span></a>&nbsp;was</u></span> a bit dull. I emailed the author and his response wasn't very helpful. Still, they are easy to get into, run and present players with a lot less to learn and think about, which also detracts from the gaming experience. This series is a best-seller at Wargames Vault, BTW, which says something about what people really like. You can check out <span style="color: blue;"><u>the store&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wargamevault.com/browse/pub/2624/Steel-Dreadnought-Games"><span style="background-color: blue; color: white;">HERE</span></a>.</u></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I do have a lot of experience <span style="color: lime;"><u><span style="background-color: white;">with </span><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="http://www.odgw.com/forums/store/product/15-general-quarters-3rd-edition-loose-leaf/"><span style="color: white;">General Quarters 3</span></a>&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white;">[GQ3]&nbsp;</span></u></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><img src="http://www.odgw.com/forums/uploads/packages-0782361001382810666.jpg" height="640" width="500" /></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">which is also by Mr. Gill, and a lot of respect for his work as an author and naval enthusiast. I've run numerous games of these WWII rules and found them to work well with only a few modifications for large-group play. The only catch is that there's quite a bit to comprehend and get into for players. Due to the fact that it is also a lot of work for me as GM, I haven't been playing naval or running the game lately.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>So the question is should I run with something that is a lot easier to play and work with for fleet actions, or run with something that is most likely a lot more true to history and the technical aspects of naval warfare in that period?</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><i>It's a tough call, b/c to a large extent naval warfare IS the technical challenges of the period, and the decisions players make should reflect that. On the other hand, I'm uncertain how many of the players are able to grasp the combination of tactics and technical issues at all, much less apply them to the table - they seem to mostly like the decision points I present and blowing up ships!</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, been seeking inspiration and information by reading FAI - which has many excellent explanations about the history - and reading <span style="color: orange;"><u>Bennett's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Naval-Battles-First-World-War/dp/1473821118" style="background-color: blue;"><span style="color: white;">Naval Battles of the First World War</span></a>&nbsp;which</u></span> I highly recommend as a concise but authoritative intro to the period.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5E-Mf-l_WUQ/WOexH-RqVYI/AAAAAAAAALI/G8uBa-Q-cl0jhW9KImq9B2IFLtvuKNdywCLcB/s1600/20170407_110555%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5E-Mf-l_WUQ/WOexH-RqVYI/AAAAAAAAALI/G8uBa-Q-cl0jhW9KImq9B2IFLtvuKNdywCLcB/s640/20170407_110555%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This Penguin Edition is quite nicely done, but a good example of what can happen when you buy a cheap copy thru Amazon - My particular copy is old, battered and the paper a bit brittle.&nbsp;The good news is it means I don't care about messing it up, so am marking it with lots of notes for gaming!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The book basically condenses Bennett's other books, which are well regarded, so one can always pursue them in detail in those volumes. This condensing of other work is reflected in the way this volume is organized as shown here:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PLlEXy1zmJw/WOev81DmMOI/AAAAAAAAALA/G4U7Vl4wpSAu9bOh6fmbWp1PtKWkBijqQCLcB/s1600/20170407_111734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PLlEXy1zmJw/WOev81DmMOI/AAAAAAAAALA/G4U7Vl4wpSAu9bOh6fmbWp1PtKWkBijqQCLcB/s640/20170407_111734.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The approach is by topic, focusing on the overseas cruiser chasing, the North Sea battles, and submarine warfare. While this means that chronology of the topics is not intertwined in the narrative, if one has interest in cruiser warfare, submarines or the North Sea battles you can focus on that. It may sound odd, but it works well as one reads it, and promotes focus on topic.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The final assessment on Jutland, CH 12 "Who Won?" is an excellent distillation of the fleet challenges put forward in CHs 7 &amp; 8, and are worth the price of the book by themselves.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">For the authority of the author, the useful organization, the excellent and clean narrative, and the useful summary chapters, I give this volume an A rating.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">That's all for now - I'll post more soon as I try and figure out what I can do with fleet actions for WWI, which was my original intent.</span>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-17529487934644638622015-11-24T16:57:00.003-08:002017-04-14T19:28:44.987-07:00Design Theory & Battleships - vacuum and wet<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>What makes less sense here, sir: the amorphic blob ships or WWII battleship knock-off? &nbsp;Tough call...</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_N1OUsWPbU/VgDoP3UUQOI/AAAAAAAAAtw/xlRVv2qBX0A/s400/star-blazers-yamato-wallpaper.png" width="400" /></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Interesting article about space battleships and BB's in general here:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://sfworldbuilding.blogspot.com.ar/2015/10/building-space-battleship-technology.html">SF Worldbuilding blog</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's something to keep in mind as we design and play. &nbsp;Lots of questions need to be considered in both, such as "why have a BB at all?" &nbsp;"How do they fight?"</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lots of these are addressed, and I'd definitely check out this article!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Still need to get back to my WWI miniatures, and I've had a request for more naval, possibly WWII. &nbsp;More likely to occur given my time and calendar is a continuation of Starfire games and some WWI ship modeling. &nbsp;We'll see.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, have a Blessed Thanksgiving, and remember to be thankful for all that we HAVE, and forget about what we lack, for just a few days. &nbsp;It's good for you!</span><br /><br />Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-37334619250314858302015-08-03T09:54:00.002-07:002015-08-05T08:00:36.398-07:006000 Visits! Status and future plans...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, actual military duty has taken up a substantial portion of this year. &nbsp;Preparing to activate and now being on duty has squashed nearly all my free time as I'm doing "Army training, Sir!" &nbsp;However, I'm due to return to normal life in fall and hope to work on the following posts:</span><br /><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prepping and priming the fleets. &nbsp;Colors, method, cleaning, etc.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starblazers ships - got my tiny fleet a while back and haven't done anything with them.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another Starfire II post, preferably a batrep, and work to use the rules for Starblazers.</span></li></ol><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, thanks for your support of this blog! &nbsp;Contact me with any specific requests for posts, and I'll see what I can do. &nbsp;Meantime, keep your bow to the waves and the stars to the right.</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4OLpbOljNPU/Vb-cXZG61II/AAAAAAAAAJ4/TGl8HbYmb4Y/s1600/sailors%2Bcheering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4OLpbOljNPU/Vb-cXZG61II/AAAAAAAAAJ4/TGl8HbYmb4Y/s400/sailors%2Bcheering.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/military-history/world-war-two/art32051</span></div>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-23473564958775164392014-11-10T21:13:00.000-08:002015-08-08T20:23:20.118-07:00British Fleet Makes Port!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Was down with the flu in September when the box arrived. &nbsp;Managed to take pics of the new War Times Journal British fleet but unable to write the post. &nbsp;Hopefully, the seven weeks delay is worth the wait. &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As always the ships came well packed in little bag pouches layered with large bubble wrap. &nbsp;No breakage here!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GnPhCOd6KYE/VGEZjQ8JVzI/AAAAAAAAAHo/aGZ81WHsDkk/s1600/DSC01103.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Good packing and a detailed, correct shipping invoice - great service from Jim once again!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUeMGHJvCgg/VGEZjt9T4iI/AAAAAAAAAHw/197ev2qjpXI/s1600/DSC01104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUeMGHJvCgg/VGEZjt9T4iI/AAAAAAAAAHw/197ev2qjpXI/s1600/DSC01104.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fleet in all its glory: 9 BBs [4 Iron Duke top right, 5 Queen Elizabeth bottom right], 3 BCs [2 Lion left, 1 Queen Mary at far left], 5 CLs [2 Chatham, 2 Birmingham, 1 Lowestoft], 16 DDs [8 Laurel and 8 Laforey] and 2 ML [center left].</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mrd1dRZA-Qc/VGEZjXEoeBI/AAAAAAAAAHs/GDuEpHCz_is/s1600/DSC01105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mrd1dRZA-Qc/VGEZjXEoeBI/AAAAAAAAAHs/GDuEpHCz_is/s1600/DSC01105.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The BCs: 2 Lion, 1 Queen Elizabeth - can you tell the QE?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion-class_battlecruiser</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Queen_Mary</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i2zdkPXGLR8/VGEZtMqQCNI/AAAAAAAAAIo/11zwSA0uWpY/s1600/DSC01114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i2zdkPXGLR8/VGEZtMqQCNI/AAAAAAAAAIo/11zwSA0uWpY/s1600/DSC01114.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Iron Duke with ten 13.5" guns - thanks, I'll take four please!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Duke-class_battleship</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jOk-SGDVxG0/VGEZv7uuhhI/AAAAAAAAAI4/tFhOo_7kAD4/s1600/DSC01118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jOk-SGDVxG0/VGEZv7uuhhI/AAAAAAAAAI4/tFhOo_7kAD4/s1600/DSC01118.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Queen Elizabeth - 8 x 15" guns and fast as a BC - 5 Please!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Elizabeth-class_battleship</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-02p0lm7uFLs/VGEZlqBk1PI/AAAAAAAAAIA/gLPG9K1FtRs/s1600/DSC01107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-02p0lm7uFLs/VGEZlqBk1PI/AAAAAAAAAIA/gLPG9K1FtRs/s1600/DSC01107.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Town </i>class CL Birmingham - paired 6" guns on foredeck.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Birmingham_(1913)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zceXcUz2j4w/VGEZp8MScxI/AAAAAAAAAIY/cAj11n24DmU/s1600/DSC01110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zceXcUz2j4w/VGEZp8MScxI/AAAAAAAAAIY/cAj11n24DmU/s1600/DSC01110.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Town </i>class CL Lowestoft - Sister ship of Birmingham with later tripod mast, 9 x 6" guns also, with pair on foredeck.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Lowestoft_(1913)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4GxdodzU4Y/VGEZo_n_dQI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/SjIfty8ytiU/s1600/DSC01109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4GxdodzU4Y/VGEZo_n_dQI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/SjIfty8ytiU/s1600/DSC01109.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Town class CL Chatham, 1916, 8 x 6" guns</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Chatham_(1911)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now, the Torpedo Boat Destroyers - aka "Destroyers" or DDs, are all L-class. &nbsp;They made up the 9th Destroyer Flotilla which operated with Harwich Force and were quite active, including 17 L-class DDs on the rolls during Jutland:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harwich_Force</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I couldn't find out how many had 2 or 3 funnels, so I guessed at eight of each type, which matched the ship logs for <i>Fleet Action Imminent</i>. &nbsp;Of course, no one will be able to tell on the table but further research at Wiki says that there were four built by Yarrow, which would be the 2-funnel <i>Laurel </i>type. &nbsp;I probably should've just asked Jim at WTJ, really. &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Most of the small ships will fight on multi-based groups anyway. &nbsp;Historically, they didn't operate and maneuver independently, especially in a big ship action like Jutland. &nbsp;with 3 x 4" guns their only real danger to bigger ships is their four torpedoes. &nbsp;The Combat Resolution Charts for FAI indicate that 12 is enough to hit something if they survive the fire coming in on the run. &nbsp;Should make for some exciting moments in games!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W5fCjXCAGhM/VGEZuUcZkjI/AAAAAAAAAIw/gRw6xjD-6uY/s1600/DSC01115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W5fCjXCAGhM/VGEZuUcZkjI/AAAAAAAAAIw/gRw6xjD-6uY/s1600/DSC01115.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Laurel - Laforey class torpdeo boat destroyer, two funnels.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laforey-class_destroyer_(1913)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SQOf6JHBbjI/VGEZwQWPRII/AAAAAAAAAI8/6kHPXLmIYx4/s1600/DSC01120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SQOf6JHBbjI/VGEZwQWPRII/AAAAAAAAAI8/6kHPXLmIYx4/s1600/DSC01120.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Laforey class torpedo boat destroyer, three funnels.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laforey-class_destroyer_(1913)</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7EKxzcu6l_g/VGEZoT15b2I/AAAAAAAAAII/MQFdoof08Hc/s1600/DSC01108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7EKxzcu6l_g/VGEZoT15b2I/AAAAAAAAAII/MQFdoof08Hc/s1600/DSC01108.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Laforey </i>Class torpedo boat destroyer Legion as 1917 conversion into minelayer. &nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Note excellent details of mine racks on stern!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, this is a fine little fleet. &nbsp;A bit short on BC, was awaiting <i>Tiger </i>and some <i>Indefatigable </i>class ships but Tiger is now out! &nbsp;No pic at WTJ unfortunately. &nbsp;I'll see her in the flesh soon enough after next order, however, which will include a few more German ships that are just out like the BC <i>Seydlitz.</i>&nbsp; Very happy with all the ships. &nbsp;The Germans have 9 BBs and 3 BCs, the Brits 9 BBs and 3 BCs, plus a light flotilla of 5 CL and 16 DDs. &nbsp;The Germans just got three DDs sculpted at WTJ so will have to grab a bunch of them.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now just have to figure out how to paint them...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-33160202417346633772014-11-10T16:27:00.000-08:002014-11-11T09:33:44.311-08:003000 views!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our staff would like to thank all the viewers who have visited and brought the page to 3000 views - "To Excellent!"</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/56/5643/L8KMG00Z/posters/cheering-sailors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/56/5643/L8KMG00Z/posters/cheering-sailors.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Cheering-Sailors-Posters_i8008215_.htm</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, it's quite surprising and pleasing that the page has met with so much interest from all over the world. &nbsp;Why there are so many people looking in from Turkey, I can't imagine - a NATO base perhaps? &nbsp;Or has tabletop ship gaming suddenly taken off socially among the emirs? &nbsp;Mystery to me...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Despite the flu, I felt obligated to post P.2 of the 13 November battle report right away so as not to keep my readers hanging. &nbsp;But after that I was sick a week, and only slowly recovered, it was all I could do to take pics of the new ships - no energy for posting.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then when I recovered a tumultuous time at work began. &nbsp;This occupied my time, attention and energy at the expense of my little fleet for several weeks, including all October! &nbsp;That's all passed and God brought good things forward so I will be moving on in the professional journey and it is settled. &nbsp;Things are now calmer and the rest of the family is in warm climes with the grands so I have time to push on with this blog.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A number of things in the works - lengthy post with pics on my British fleet, new WTJ releases, and I'm working on some campaign theory for WWI in the North Sea [complete with intrusive Admiralty and Emperors]. &nbsp;So check back regularly!</span></div>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-84724636667476627352014-09-18T16:54:00.003-07:002015-08-08T20:24:12.447-07:00"Remember, Remember, 13 November..." Part 2<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So the available decisions to each side went as follows, referring to the handy map from ODGW's "The Solomon's Campaign" [a great campaign in itself, btw]:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T8Nex_TLrCY/VBtS-tYVJJI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/Q782mVRxtXA/s1600/DSC01121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T8Nex_TLrCY/VBtS-tYVJJI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/Q782mVRxtXA/s1600/DSC01121.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>map scale at top right, about 12,000 yards = 1 cm, handy letters are locations of campaign encounters if using the full campaign. &nbsp;Here, they're useful reference points for players. &nbsp;Henderson Field is center bottom to left of (B). &nbsp;IJN approach is from Northwest (A) and requires a choice of Northeast or Southwest passage around Savo Island (E) or (F).</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>USN.</b>&nbsp; Like true veteran gamers, neither Adm. "No Pain" Kane nor "Snake-Eyes" Seliga wanted to be in command. &nbsp;With neither player willing to take the blame of another Savo 1 or share the fate of Scott and Callaghan [perhaps out of mistrust...after all, Callaghan killed Scott when the San Francisco fired upon Atlanta], a joint decision was made to patrol a line from (C) to (G) with two parallel formations in line ahead. &nbsp;North or closest to the IJN approach was the line of five destroyers. &nbsp;2,000 y [20cm] South was the line of 5 cruisers. &nbsp;This placed the DDs potentially in the line of fire of the cruisers, and was probably not an optimal formation. &nbsp;They steamed at 12 knots lead by the two CAs and followed by the three CLs. &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>It should be noted that the USN CLs were not "light" in the sense of armor or displacement, but rather in gun size. &nbsp; Each fielded 15 6" guns, making them a menace to DDs and potentially dangerous to heavier ships by shear volume of fire if not weight of shell. &nbsp;However, the 6" shells cannot penetrate Kongo armor at any range in GQ3.3, definitely a problem as it limits damage to 1/3 the damage rolls, and the potential only to start fires, destroy secondary batteries, cause critical hits, and destroy the cup holder on the captain's chair. &nbsp;But with 45 barrels, these were likely outcomes if their firepower could be brought to bear!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>IJN.</b> Admiral Shwartzamoto had no choice but to take command as his loyal but stupid henchman would be the GM, yours truly, fielding the light forces as he took the two BBs. &nbsp;Actually, let's face it, he was _eager_ to command the battleships! &nbsp;And who wouldn't be??&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He had two critical decisions. &nbsp;First, he had to decide on either a North approach, putting Florida Island at his back or a Southern approach clinging to the Guadalcanal coastline. &nbsp;Either one <i>might </i>give him the 'land shadow advantage' IF the&nbsp;USN force was towards the center of Ironbottom Bay relative to the IJN squadron.&nbsp;As the former had the possibility of the USN being close to the Guadalcanal coast with the IJN crossing Ironbottom, ceding them the land shadow advantage, he chose the latter approach. &nbsp;At worse, he felt it would result in a relatively even fight with neither or both side's gunnery affected by land shadow as they clung to the North coastline of Guadalcanal.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The second choice was trickier. &nbsp;Historically, there was a squall heading Southeast down the slot, and the IJN hid in it until close to Savo Island, masking their approach. &nbsp;Abe then reversed all ships, allowing the squall to continue on well ahead so it would neither mask his squadron nor an enemy squadron. &nbsp;I gave the player the same choice - to follow the squall in or to precede it in by accelerating before Savo Island, giving him an open view of what was ahead but not concealing his squadron. &nbsp;Adm. Shwartzamoto chose the former, putting his BBs 2000 yards [20cm] from the Guadalcanal coastline, and the light force 1000 yards farther out and parallel, both formations in line ahead, and _right behind_ the squall, all moving at 15 knots. &nbsp;So his vector of approach was (E) - (C) - (B).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The USN patrol line was conveniently 24,000y ards long, so I rolled a d12 and with the result of '9' placed the squadron 18,000 yards along the route [1.8 meters], orienting the table so the south board edge was Guadalcanal, and Savo Island was within the board to the top left. &nbsp;The USN patrol line formed the East Edge of the table, basically [note, I should've angled it more, but it wouldn't have made any difference on the approach vectors, really].</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With the dark night, the USN still managed to Detect the tail end of the DD division around the end of the squall, and broke into two squadrons of two divisions by the player's commands, moving independently to engage the Detected IJN force. &nbsp;The lead squadron lost one CA and one DD off the tail of their Line Ahead as they missed the order to turn. &nbsp; [my house rules have turns of greater than 4 pts and speed changes of greater than 5 knots causing a skill check on following ships].&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This resulted in the last DD being 2 and the &nbsp;last CA being 3 turns behind the rest of the squadron as they realized their error and caught up. &nbsp;The relative approach vectors brought the USN in as three forces: the closest being three CLs and two DDs, the next being 1 CA and 2 DDs, and trailing behind a DD and CA that got a bit lost.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A squall had also dropped into the center of the playing area, permitting the lead US force to approach out of sight. &nbsp;The rearward force ran straight into the IJN light division in two opposing parallel line ahead formations, more or less. [apologies for no photos, I keep forgetting to take them]. &nbsp;The IJN Acquired first, dropped torpedoes and opened fire with their light guns. &nbsp;This had the effect of screening the BBs behind them and forcing the US rearward to engage the light division. &nbsp;Despite plentiful weaponry, the IJN had poor shooting, damaging one US DD. &nbsp;The US also managed to thread the torpedo wakes but for one, and that one failed to hit.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With the IJN BBs turning to port to engage the US CLs, the IJN lights split into the Nagara and a DD in the lead, with the other three DDs turning into the squall. &nbsp;This put them very close to the lead USN force. &nbsp;Fortunately for them it was split up a bit. &nbsp;This still resulted in two of the three DDs being badly damaged by gunnery and sinking due to shattered bulkheads. &nbsp;Captain Hara's DD managed to scoot around behind the BBs and survive with gun losses but a sound hull and engineering section [thus permitting an excellent memoir to be written after the war - highly recommended!]</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The US cruisers now approached the IJN battleships from three directions, and in succession. &nbsp;This enabled the Kongos to concentrate fire upon 1-2 cruisers at a time, severely damaging them successively. &nbsp;The three light CL's dashed past the BBs, who then faced one New Orleans, and finally the third. &nbsp;In the end, only one Brooklyn was battleworthy, and torpedo runs against the Kongos resulted in no hits. &nbsp;The IJN managed to head for the East board edge with two very intact Kongo BBs [OK, one _did_ lost the cup holder off the captain's chair], a Nagara and two DDs one with reduced gunnery, and no torpedoes ready for use [but reloads potential in six turns]. &nbsp;The USN had nearly nothing left, with one Brooklyn departing the field to the North and the other trailing the IJN with a damaged DD and the rest of the force sunk, sinking or trying not to sink.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was a fun and violent encounter, with lots of close-range gunnery for everyone. &nbsp;I think the IJN had _more_ fun with their BBs, but everyone got plenty of action. &nbsp;This AAR would benefit from some good pics, but <i>mea culpa</i> about &nbsp;not remembering to take any! &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think the scattered approach of the USN force enabled the Kongos to take it on piecemeal and concentrate overwhelming firepower on a ship or two a turn, instead of the other way around. &nbsp;It _is_ possible for this USN force to inflict enough fire damage to a BB that it would burn out, but it requires coordinating the force for simultaneous contact, which they weren't able to do.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Historically, the USN caused enough fires on Heie that it burned out of control until the next day, resulting in Abe retreating as his flagship was lost and much of his command staff killed by a bridge hit. &nbsp;One salvo from the San Francisco also damaged the Heie's rudder [a critical hit result in GQ3.3, and quite possible]. &nbsp;Afterwards, a USN officer on the DD Monssen said the battle was like "a barroom brawl after the lights had been shot out." &nbsp;The USN lost two CL and four DDs, and had little left in the area, but they'd protected Henderson Field for one more night.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope this gives a feel for how I research, develop and set up a game, and that the general action is understandable despite the lack of pics!</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-55298789505813270372014-09-17T19:01:00.000-07:002015-08-08T20:24:31.658-07:00British Fleet About to Make Port!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh yes...the true delight of a very light box from WTJ - War Times Journal. &nbsp;It's "wargamasmic!"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--kbah1Fqmcc/VBo8b71GNlI/AAAAAAAAAHA/FsJk9ljDFNI/s1600/Mystery%2BBox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--kbah1Fqmcc/VBo8b71GNlI/AAAAAAAAAHA/FsJk9ljDFNI/s1600/Mystery%2BBox.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's late and I've a nasty flu, so opening the box now wouldn't be nearly as fun. &nbsp;Sometimes the anticipation is worth the wait, and I know it will be tomorrow. &nbsp;I've ordered 12 capital ships, twenty small DDs/TBs, and five light cruisers. &nbsp;The pics on line were stupendous. &nbsp;Best of all, now that I've both sides, I can start pushing forward knowing that I have all I need to start planning and throwing games. &nbsp;Always helps my motivation to know there's nothing beyond my control that will derail a future game project.</span></div>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-40398401743223051102014-09-15T20:20:00.001-07:002015-08-08T20:24:49.264-07:00"Remember, Remember, 13 November..." Part 1<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Remember, remember, 13 November, the gunfire, courses and plots.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know of no reason that so many ships sinking could ever be forgot!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isaroku Yamamoto did plan that his admirals go forth to sink the Yanks,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But tactical victory did not win them history, and Abe got little thanks.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three-score barrels and two-score turrets to destroy Henderson Field,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Scott and Callaghan, sailed against them and were not about to yield!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Ironbottom Bay they met them this day, 'midst the fire, the salt and the spray.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marines who watched, saw starshells and shock, and the end of battleship Hiei.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But battles at sea - even in victory - come at a heavy cost.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two bold admirals and ten fine ships were just a part of the loss.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three thousand sailors went down in the dark of the Sound, watches no longer to keep.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Iron their hearts, iron their tombs, with their lives in Davy's locker - they sleep."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[with apologies to the Protestant doggerel-mongers of England]</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, as if the slaughter and mayhem of the First Battle of Savo Island wasn't enough [see previous three-part post], I felt obligated to wrap up WWII naval gaming for a while with the third and fourth battles of Savo Island. &nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Third was fought this past Saturday, and the Fourth will be fought later this month, <i>DV</i>, as I gear up for the 100th anniversary of WWI with RN and KM fleets in the works.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>[stay tuned, as the RN fleet should dock tomorrow!]</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, the Third Battle of Savo Island, aka "the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal", AKA "the Battle of Friday Thirteenth", A-K-A "the Third Battle of the Solomon Sea" [by the IJN] is as confusing to find on line as it is to figure out its name! &nbsp;It's really only a part of a four-day confrontation that essentially sealed the fate of the Japanese attempt to take back the island. &nbsp;In that sense it was a strategic victory for the USN, but the constant tactical defeats and disasters didn't make it feel like much of a victory. &nbsp;In any event, I'll make it easy for you, just go here to get started:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Battle_of_Guadalcanal</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This phase of the Guadalcanal naval struggle reminds me of the following image:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img height="400" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">which side is the frog and which the crane, I leave to your discretion. In any event, neither side was ready to give up, and neither had enough of an advantage for a full-blown Jutland-size battle, so they kept jabbing at each other trying to get an edge that just didn't happen. &nbsp;The allies were hanging on by the skin of their teeth [and running out of ships and sailors] while the IJN still struggled to appreciate the significance of the battle and the cost they would have to pay to win it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The event itself was a straight-up fight between to wildly different squadrons: &nbsp;The IJN had two battleships, a light cruiser and eleven destroyers v. two USN cruisers, three light cruisers, and eight destroyers. &nbsp;The IJN had no middle weight, and the USN no heavy weight. &nbsp;As a Naval Problem the game is just great, with only a few weather issues complicating a clean brawl.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Weather - the delight and dismay of sailors since time before history! &nbsp;It inspires the ancient saying that names this blog, and it complicates unto death life at sea in peace or war. &nbsp;On November 13, 1942, it was a very dark night - a new moon. There were also squalls at play in the Slot and potentially anywhere on the battlesea at any moment another one could erupt from nowhere, they being a nightly occurrence in the Solomon Island chain.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>NOTE: For ships in space, this would also make an excellent scenario, and we often enjoy paralleling historical naval action into the future, don't we? &nbsp;Reading "Full Thrust", I'd orient the scenario around a star system raid using the detection rules and duplicate the forces with equal points value and the same ship types on each side as in history. &nbsp;For games not using parallel sizes/names, two big ships with a bunch of light escorts and the other side about 60-40 light and medium ships [DDs and CAs] should do it. &nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>For "terrain", I'd put in a moon as Savo Island and a planet for Guadalcanal. &nbsp;There should be a military objective to destroy on the planet much like the Rebel Base on Endor in Star Wars IV. &nbsp;You could use the fighters or not, and if not explain that local conditions only permit launching fighters during certain solar phases, which was how the base remained hidden for so long, etc, more on this later. &nbsp;Perhaps the "squalls" could be solar flares? &nbsp;Asteroid belts? &nbsp;Your call.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For this scenario, I first broke the force down into Divisions of ships. &nbsp;The IJN had Divisions of: 2 Kongo BBs, 1 Nagara CL, 4 Fubuki DDs, 4 Shiratsuyu DDs, and 3 Kagero DDs. &nbsp;The USN had Divisions of: 2 New Orleans CAs, 3 Brooklyn CLs, 2 Benson DDs, 3 Bagley DDs, and 3 Mahan DDs.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While the classes don't all match to history, preparation and formatting led me to run with ships whose diagrams were at hand, rather than the exact class and ship [except for the Kongos of course]. There's so much discrepancy btw the squadrons that a little deviation makes no difference to the scenario's play. &nbsp;In any event, with only four players showing up, I dropped two Divisions of DDs anyway, concentrating on the big ships, and ran with the Kongo, Nagara and 4 Shiratsuyu, all five USN cruisers, and five DDs in divisions of 2 Benson/Gleaves and 3 Bagleys, giving each USN player one division each of cruisers and destroyers.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My goal was to present each side with some historically available choices and forces. &nbsp;This is pretty much my method with all my naval games. &nbsp;The historical decisions are usually limited to 2-3 choices per side. &nbsp;This gives about 6-9 outcomes of the major decisions. &nbsp;The details of formation, command, approach and speed provide additional granularity with many variable outcomes. &nbsp;I could easily run this game exactly as I did it Saturday ten more times with ten different results depending on the players and their choices. &nbsp;Even the same players could easily try a different choice or two that would bring about a totally different game.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The USN was given a scale map of Ironbottom Bay from Savo to Skylark, and tasked with blocking the bombardment of Henderson Field. &nbsp;It didn't matter how many USN ships were lost, just that the IJN BBs were forced to turn back. They also had to decide on course, formation, speed, and command vessel.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/NavalGuadalcanal1.gif/450px-NavalGuadalcanal1.gif" height="486" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>from the above Wiki article. &nbsp;green dot is the airfield.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The IJN also had to decide on their approach formation, etc, including a route around Savo Island, and their use [or not] of a handy squall that was heading down the Slot towards Savo and Ironbottom Bay. &nbsp;Also, their approach [and the defenders patrol] had to take into account the critical issue of "land shadow". &nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In GQ3.3 game terms, this means a 50% penalty if you are trying to Acquire a target that has land within 10,000 yards behind it [100cm / 1 meter - the table was 3 x 2 meters], and a significant penalty if you are trying to Detect them with radar [for the USN - the IJN still thinks those bed springs on the top of the USN masts are for sleeping]. &nbsp;Basically, if either side can get between the enemy and land [with a little maneuver space, of course] they've a big chance to get the drop on the other side by Detecting [USN] or Acquiring [either side] them first. &nbsp;A successful Detection allows the USN to deviate from their pre-plotted patrol movement [but not fire upon the un-Acquired vessels], while Acquisition represents the full ability to target the enemy ship as well as deviate from pre-plotted movement. &nbsp;This can be huge if you get a couple of turns surprise on the enemy fleet, allowing you to unload a ton of torpedoes for example [Savo Island 1, anyone??].</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The IJN similarly could lose any number of DDs, but had to exit the board with the two BBs in shape to bombard Henderson Field and without an intact USN squadron at their backs. &nbsp;Yes, this is a recipe for slaughter and mayhem...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Next post: Command Decisions!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6031540786106165779.post-25030559100411564662014-09-03T14:30:00.001-07:002014-09-03T14:38:00.232-07:001500 Visits - WOW!<div style="text-align: justify;"><img alt="Cheering Sailors Throwing Hats in the Air" src="http://www.corbisimages.com/images/Corbis-U769502ACME.jpg?size=67&amp;uid=f2bf655a-3deb-4fd9-aa14-c5633cc63801" height="323" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/U769502ACME/</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have to admit that it didn't occur to me this blog would be this popular - 1500 visits in just two months was a lot more than expected. &nbsp;I just started it to help me think aloud and share some of my experiences so gamers like me wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel every time they started a project.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Always nice to know one's gaming problem is shared by others!</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Glad to see the interest, and feel free to comment on the parts that you like best as it will have at least some effect on future posts. &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy gaming!</span></div>Queen Catherinehttps://plus.google.com/110732166588337617229noreply@blogger.com2